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29 killed in fighting between LTTE, Sri Lankan Army

B. Muralidhar Reddy

The two sides are engaged in fierce fighting for control of a waterway in the east

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan military on Friday said at least 29 persons, including nine soldiers, were killed in the ongoing fight between the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and the LTTE in the east.

The two sides are engaged in fierce fighting for control of the waterway in the east. Blocking of the waterway on July 20 by the Tamil Tigers, since opened on August 8, has led to the current phase of hostilities.

The LTTE has alleged that dozens of civilians have become victims of indiscriminate aerial bombing of the areas in and around the waterway by the air force. The military has defended its actions on the ground that it has no option but respond to firing from LTTE positions. The Government has accused the Tamil Tigers of using civilians as human shields.

The international community is concerned at the deteriorating situation with serious consequences for the people in the battle zone but has not been able to restrain either side. In a statement here, the United States on Friday said the events of past weeks demonstrate that there could be no military solution to the ethnic conflict.

The military has sought to explain the continuing operations as a necessity to consolidate positions in and around the waterway. The Government has said it is determined to oust the Tigers from the vicinity of the waterway and wrest control of the area.

TamilNet claimed that were casualties in air force bombing in Tharavai, northwest of Batticaloa.

"The Government of Sri Lanka forces are attempting to open another front of offensive towards Batticaloa," it quoted the director of the LTTE's Peace Secretariat, S. Puleedevan, as saying.

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