Fresh violence claims 10 more lives in Sri Lanka

by AFP

COLOMBO (AFP) — Unidentified gunmen in Sri Lanka's embattled north have killed two civilians while security forces shot dead eight Tamil Tiger rebels, the defence ministry said.

In the latest violence to hit the Indian Ocean island nation, the civilians were shot dead in the tense northwestern coastal area of Mannar late Tuesday, the ministry said, adding that police were investigating the incident.

Elsewhere, government troops killed eight rebels in separate attacks in the north during the 24 hours ending early Wednesday, it said in a statement.

There were no casualties reported among government troops, it added.

Independent verification of casualties on both sides is not possible and the government does not allow journalists to travel to rebel-held areas.

There was no immediate comment from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, who are fighting for autonomy for minority Tamils in the northern and eastern regions of the country.