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Sri Lanka clashes hit peace hopes Many killed in Sri Lanka clashes
(about 15 hours later)
At least 22 Sri Lankan soldiers have been killed in fierce fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels, the military says. The Sri Lankan military says that 43 soldiers have been killed in fighting with the Tamil Tigers since Wednesday.
A "large number" of rebels also died and more than 100 troops were wounded in the clashes in northern Jaffna peninsula, an army statement said. Army spokesman Brig Prasad Samarasinghe told the BBC News website that 224 soldiers had been wounded in the clashes in northern Jaffna peninsula.
The rebels said 75 soldiers died and that 10 of their fighters were killed. The rebels said 75 soldiers died and that 10 of their fighters were killed. The army says more than 200 rebels have died in the fighting.
On Tuesday, 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 two sides are due to hold peace talks later this month.
The BBC's Dumeetha Luthra says the talks are now hanging in the balance.
Brig Samarasinghe said that artillery and mortar fire between the two sides was still going on in the area. He said 30 soldiers were missing after the fighting.
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 fireArtillery fire
Wednesday's casualty figures are among the highest the Sri Lankan military has endured in a single day's fighting since hostilities resumed earlier this year.Wednesday's casualty figures are among the highest the Sri Lankan military has endured in a single day's fighting since hostilities resumed earlier this year.
Fierce clashes between troops and rebels lasted up to 12 hours, with residents in the town of Jaffna saying they could hear the noise of heavy artillery in the distance.Fierce clashes between troops and rebels lasted up to 12 hours, with residents in the town of Jaffna saying they could hear the noise of heavy artillery in the distance.
An army statement said at least 113 injured soldiers were being evacuated for treatment after a lull in fighting.An army statement said at least 113 injured soldiers were being evacuated for treatment after a lull in fighting.
"Ground troops confirmed that a large number of terrorist dead bodies were also found scattered around," it added.
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.
For their part, the rebels accused the military of stepping up attacks first, saying troops had begun a "large-scale operation along the northern defence line".For their part, the rebels accused the military of stepping up attacks first, saying troops had begun a "large-scale operation along the northern defence line".
"Our forces have repulsed their attacks. The bodies of more than 75 soldiers are scattered around in areas under our control," rebel military spokesman Rasaiah Ilanthiraiyan told the BBC Tamil service."Our forces have repulsed their attacks. The bodies of more than 75 soldiers are scattered around in areas under our control," rebel military spokesman Rasaiah Ilanthiraiyan told the BBC Tamil service.
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.
Talks Switzerland meeting
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 displacedFighting in the north has led to thousands being displaced
On Tuesday, Norway's 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, Norway's 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.
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.
The government says it wants to discuss substantive issues which would lead to a long-term solution.The government says 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.