The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Colombo

Sri Lanka's defence ministry said Saturday troops had destroyed Tamil Tiger bunkers and killed 18 rebels in fighting in the north of the island.

The military put its own losses at 20 wounded during Friday's clashes centered around Mannar, Jaffna, Vavuniya and Weli Oya.

On Friday, the military accused the rebels of shooting at a passenger bus in the southeastern region of Buttala, killing four people and wounding 26.

Fighting is centred around the north, but the rebels routinely carry out attacks against military, economic and civilian targets elsewhere on the island.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam did not comment on the bus attack or the fighting in the north.