Over 550 Dead In March As Sri Lankan Clashes Continue

March 25, 2008 5:50 p.m. EST

Colombo, Sri Lanka (AHN) - Heavy fighting between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels in northern areas of Sri Lanka have killed an estimated 501 militants and 54 soldiers, according to officials in Colombo. Sri Lankan military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told reporters that an unknown number of rebels and 223 soldiers have also been injured in the clashes dating back to March 5.

Furthermore, military operations are continuing in Mannar, Vavuniya and Jaffna. "The security forces have been successful in capturing 31 square kilometers of territory south of the A14 road in Mannar," Nanayakkara said according to Chinese state-run media.

The fighting has intensified in the northern battle front after the government's announcement in mid-January to withdraw from the 2002 Norwegian-backed cease-fire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The rebels have been battling for an independent homeland since 1972 in an ethnic conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.