23 killed in Sri Lanka clashes

The security forces also repulsed another rebel attempt to breach the defence lines at Palamoddai, north west of Vavuniya last evening, killing three guerrillas and inflicting heavy damage on the LTTE. Ground sources confirmed that an LTTE bunker was destroyed in the retaliatory attacks by the troops.

Continuing their pre-emptive strikes near the Wanni Forward Defence Lines in the north of Uyilankulam, troops destroyed three LTTE bunkers, killing four rebels and seriously injuring ten others yesterday.

In a separate incident, ground forces, in retaliation to an LTTE offensive, at Parappakandal in north-western Mannar killed four guerrillas.

They also damaged two LTTE heavy guns, thereby dismantling the rebels8217; attempts to regroup, said military sources.

8220;Separately, in a location North West of Giant8217;s Tank in Mannar, troops confronted an LTTE group killing six of them,8221; security sources said.