38 Tamil Tiger rebels killed in fighting says Sri Lankan military

Colombo: Sri Lankan soldiers killed 38 Tamil Tiger rebels in fierce fighting in the north of the country, according to the military.

A spokesman said the army lost four men near the north-western district of Mannar, traditionally a Tamil stronghold.

The military said the fighting was along a 'border' that separates rebel-held from government territory.

The fighting came as the Tigers accused the military of blowing up a rebel-backed parliamentarian with a roadside bomb, a charge the army denies.