The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Colombo

A series of clashes over the weekend between Sri Lankan troops and Tamil Tiger rebels left at least 39 separatists and three soldiers dead, the defence ministry said Monday.

Government troops shot dead the rebels in the north during two days of fighting that ended Sunday, the ministry said, adding 15 soldiers were injured.

There was no immediate comment from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), whose armed struggle for an independent state for minority Tamils in the island's north and east have left tens of thousands dead since 1972.

Security forces clashed with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the northern district of Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna on Saturday, killing 33 rebels, the defence ministry said.

The military said three soldiers died and at least 15 were injured in weekend fighting.

Sri Lankan airforce fighter jets on Sunday carried out sorties over a suspected rebel sea base in the guerrilla-controlled areas in the north, the defence ministry said.

There was no immediate comment from the LTTE, who have waged a fight for autonomy in the island's north and east since 1972. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict.

However, a pro-rebel website, Tamilnet.com, said the guerrillas had beaten back an army offensive on Saturday in Vavuniya district.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan troops have been hit by tropical illnesses as a result of heavy rains and floods in the north. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said urgent measures had been taken to combat the problem.

The Sunday Times newspaper said that about 500 troops affected by dengue fever and the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus were being treated at hospitals in the island's northeast.