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Sri Lankan government says 19 rebels killed in operations

19/07/2008

The government of Sri Lanka has announced the deaths of 19 members of the Tamil Tigers in military operations in the country.

Swathes of operations have been launched in the country's strife-torn northern region where the separatist rebels have their stronghold.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the Associated Press that no soldiers had lost their lives in the operation and that only a few had suffered injuries.

He told the news agency that the greatest gains from the fighting were in the Vavuniya district where nine rebel fighters were killed.

The Tamil Tigers are yet to comment or confirm on the Sri Lankan government's statement.

The civil war between the government and the rebel group has been ongoing in the north of the island state for over 20 years.