Sri Lanka says it seizes key rebel village

Sri Lanka's military says its troops have captured a strategic village from the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels after a two-month battle.

Sri Lanka's military says its troops have captured a strategic village from the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels after a two-month battle.

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The military says in a statement that the battle for Vannerikulam was challenging because the rebels had erected massive earth barriers.

It says its capture of the village Sunday could ease the military's march toward the rebels' de facto capital of Kilinochchi. Rebel officials could not be contacted for comment on the military's claims.