Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com). Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it exclusively produces is in the public domain. November 24, 2008 Dozens of Rebels, Troops Killed in Sri Lanka Fighting ----------------------------------------------------- http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=209053E:A6F02AD83191E160FF23C61CF74EFC41A13B8D4F2090AB2B& Officials say 120 rebels, 27 soldiers were killed and 80 rebels, 70 soldiers wounded Sri Lankan soldiers patrol in a railway station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 23 Nov 2008Heavy fighting rages on in Sri Lanka's rebel-held north as the military continues its campaign to push the Tamil Tigers from the area. Defense officials say Monday 120 rebels were killed and 80 wounded during clashes Sunday near the Tiger's political capital of Kilinochchi. The pro-rebel Web site Tamil Net reports that 43 government soldiers were killed. However, military officials say 27 soldiers died and 70 were wounded. It is not possible to confirm the military or rebels' claims in Sri Lanka's civil war because journalists are banned from traveling to the conflict zone. The Tamil Tigers have been fighting since 1983 to create an independent state in Sri Lanka's north and east. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP. .