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Sri Lanka clashes hit peace hopes Sri Lanka clashes hit peace hopes
(20 minutes later)
At least 22 Sri Lankan soldiers have been killed in fierce fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels, the military says.At least 22 Sri Lankan soldiers have been killed in fierce fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels, the military says.
More than 100 troops were wounded in the clashes in northern Jaffna peninsula. A "large number" of rebels had also died, an army statement said.More than 100 troops were wounded in the clashes in northern Jaffna peninsula. A "large number" of rebels had also died, an army statement said.
The military and the rebels accuse each other of stepping up attacks.The military and the rebels accuse each other of stepping up attacks.
A day earlier the two sides finalised a date and venue for talks later this month - which the BBC's Dumeetha Luthra says are now hanging in the balance.A day earlier the two sides finalised a date and venue for talks later this month - which the BBC's Dumeetha Luthra says are now hanging in the balance.
The Tigers have said they are currently considering their position but have not pulled out. The country's key backers have requested a cessation of hostilities before talks begin.The Tigers have said they are currently considering their position but have not pulled out. The country's key backers have requested a cessation of hostilities before talks begin.
ArtilleryArtillery
The army statement said the worst of the clashes near Jaffna lasted about five hours.The army statement said the worst of the clashes near Jaffna lasted about five hours.
At least 113 injured soldiers were being evacuated for treatment after a lull in fighting, it said.At least 113 injured soldiers were being evacuated for treatment after a lull in fighting, it said.
"Ground troops confirmed that a large number of terrorist dead bodies were also found scattered around," it added."Ground troops confirmed that a large number of terrorist dead bodies were also found scattered around," it added.
There was no word from the rebels on how many of their fighters had died.There was no word from the rebels on how many of their fighters had died.
Heavy artillery fire could be heard in the town of Jaffna, Reuters news agency said.Heavy artillery fire could be heard in the town of Jaffna, Reuters news agency said.
The military said its forces had responded to rebel attacks with artillery and air raids against rebel gun positions.The military said its forces had responded to rebel attacks with artillery and air raids against rebel gun positions.
Earlier, a rebel spokesman said the movement's fighters were retaliating after being attacked by the military.Earlier, a rebel spokesman said the movement's fighters were retaliating after being attacked by the military.
"They have begun a large-scale operation along the northern defence line," rebel spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan told the Associated Press news agency by telephone."They have begun a large-scale operation along the northern defence line," rebel spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan told the Associated Press news agency by telephone.
"They are advancing from all around the defence line.""They are advancing from all around the defence line."
Both sides maintain they are acting defensively, our correspondent says, and have retained the right to do so despite agreeing to resume discussions.Both sides maintain they are acting defensively, our correspondent says, and have retained the right to do so despite agreeing to resume discussions.
Thousands of civilians have been caught up in the latest violence, in which hundreds of people have died this year.Thousands of civilians have been caught up in the latest violence, in which hundreds of people have died this year.
TalksTalks
Sri Lanka has been close to peace talks before only for them to fail at the last minute.Sri Lanka has been close to peace talks before only for them to fail at the last minute.
Fighting in the north has led to thousands being displaced
On Tuesday, Norwegian ambassador to Sri Lanka, Hans Brattskar, told the BBC that the rebels had confirmed they were ready to meet the government on 28 and 29 October in Switzerland.On Tuesday, Norwegian ambassador to Sri Lanka, Hans Brattskar, told the BBC that the rebels had confirmed they were ready to meet the government on 28 and 29 October in Switzerland.
However, he said the Tigers had told him they could reconsider their decision if the situation on the ground deteriorated.However, he said the Tigers had told him they could reconsider their decision if the situation on the ground deteriorated.
Last week, the Sri Lankan government outlined plans for a 40% increase in defence spending for 2007, to cover increased weapons procurement and air strike costs.Last week, the Sri Lankan government outlined plans for a 40% increase in defence spending for 2007, to cover increased weapons procurement and air strike costs.
The government says that it wants to discuss substantive issues which would lead to a long-term solution.The government says that it wants to discuss substantive issues which would lead to a long-term solution.
The rebels have been fighting for an independent Tamil homeland for more than 20 years.The rebels have been fighting for an independent Tamil homeland for more than 20 years.