Mortar attacks launched on Sri Lankan army camp

Govt forces killed at least 115 Tigers during clashes in Jaffna peninsula over the weekend, defence ministry said.

Tamil Tiger rebels on Monday launched long-range mortar bomb attacks on a remote Sri Lankan army camp in the island's east, a day after accusing the government of scuttling a new Norwegian peace bid.

HT Image

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) pounded the Kadjuwatte army camp in Batticaloa district, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The military said it retaliated using heavy artillery.

Government forces killed at least 115 Tigers during clashes in the Jaffna peninsula over the weekend, the defence ministry said, adding it lost 28 soldiers.

The latest fighting came after the LTTE said it had been prepared to withdraw from a coastal town that was the scene of weeks of heavy fighting.

The rebels said they had held talks with Norway and agreed to abandon Sampur which was used as a base by them to launch artillery attacks on Trincomalee naval port.

"The LTTE was ready to move weapons from Sampur if the government ceased all shelling and aerial bombardments," the rebels said in a statement released on Sunday.

"While the negotiations were in progress, the government of Sri Lanka launched its onslaught for occupation."