The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Colombo

Fresh fighting in Sri Lanka left at least 33 combatants dead on both sides, the military said Tuesday as security forces continued their push to regain swathes of rebel-held territory in the north. Security forces said they killed 32 Tamil Tiger rebels during clashes in the northern districts of Mannar and Vavuniya on Monday and placed their own losses at one soldier dead and three wounded.

There was no immediate comment from the Tigers, but the pro-rebel Tamilnet.com website said the guerrillas were using booby-trapped devices and snipers to keep troops from advancing into territory held by them in Mannar.

Since the beginning of January, the security forces have killed 780 rebels and lost just 29 soldiers, according to statements issued by the defence ministry.

Both sides are known to give wildly varying casualty figures which cannot be independently verified.