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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka clashes hit peace hopes | Sri Lanka clashes hit peace hopes |
| (about 2 hours 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. |
| Artillery | Artillery |
| 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. |
| A Tiger official, speaking to the BBC, could give no figure for rebel casualties. | |
| 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. |
| Talks | Talks |
| 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 | 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. |