Sri Lanka's military says a day of fierce clashes in the island's embattled north has left 61 Tamil Tiger rebels and 17 soldiers dead. A military statement says government soldiers and the rebels fought several battles in northern Mannar district Sunday, killing 40 rebels and 10 soldiers while three other soldiers are reported missing. Twenty-one other rebels and seven soldiers were also killed Sunday in scattered fighting across Jaffna, Vavuniya and Welioya regions, the statement was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. Rebels spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan was not immediately available for comment.
