BREAKING NEWS - MUTUR

Tamil rebels infiltrate government-held town in northeastern Sri Lanka , fighting rages

Associated Press, Thu August 3, 2006 03:00 EDT . DILIP GANGULY - Associated Press Writer - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Dozens of Tamil Tiger rebels infiltrated a small, government-held town during fierce fighting in northeastern Sri Lanka - , and soldiers were trying to flush them out, a government spokesman said Thursday. It quoted residents as saying intense fighting was under way in Muttur as ``hundreds of heavily armed (Tamil Tigers) who have taken control of the town center laid siege to four Sri Lanka - army camps on its periphery.''

Some residents have taken shelter in mosques and churches, TamilNet said.

The clashes have been among the fiercest since a 2002 cease-fire deal was signed between the government and the Tigers.

The latest violence was sparked by a rebel move last month to shut down a reservoir and cut off water to nearby government-held villages. The military responded with airstrikes and a ground assault.

Norwegian envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer, who is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka - on Friday, was to meet with Sri Lankan government and rebel leaders in an effort to settle the dispute, Norwegian embassy spokesman Tom Knappskog said Thursday.

Separately, New York-based Human Rights Watch said a boosted international monitoring presence was needed in Sri Lanka - after three of the five Nordic countries overseeing the 2002 cease-fire decided to withdraw observers.

The group described ``the urgent need for a strong international human rights monitoring presence to help ensure civilian protection.''

``The lives of countless civilians are at risk at this critical time,'' Brad Adams, the group's Asia director, said in a statement.

Sweden, Finland and Denmark have said they were pulling out for security reasons. The rebels had demanded that EU members withdraw after the 25-nation group labeled the Tamil Tigers as terrorists in May.

Sri Lanka fighting rages, aid workers cannot help - Reuters

Artillery fire kills 10 civilians in northeast Sri Lanka town, military says

Associated Press, Thu August 3, 2006 04:13 EDT . - - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Artillery fire hit a school in a northeastern Sri Lanka - town Thursday where area residents had taken shelter to escape fighting, the military said. Ten people were killed.

The Media Center of the Defense Ministry blamed the separatist Tamil rebels for the attack. No comment was immediately available from the insurgents.

Dozens of rebels infiltrated the town of Muttur during fierce fighting and soldiers were trying to flush them out, chief government spokesman, Keheliya Rambukwella said Thursday. Muttur is in Trincomalee district, the latest flash point in the ongoing clashes between the separatist rebels and the military.

Tamil rebels attack police station in government-held northeastern Sri Lanka town

Associated Press, Thu August 3, 2006 03:52 EDT . - - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Tamil Tiger rebels attacked a police station in northeastern Sri Lanka - Thursday, but the area's police chief said the attack was repulsed by anti-terrorist commandoes who arrived in the seaside town to help military forces.

``They tried to take over our police station, but our men fought back and forced the terrorist to retreat,'' said Senior Superintendent of Police Nihal Samarakoon. He gave no casualty figure. He added that the town area was under government control.

Artillery fire kills 10 civilians in northeast Sri Lanka town, military says
Associated Press, Thu August 3, 2006 04:13 EDT . - - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Artillery fire hit a school in a northeastern Sri Lanka - town Thursday where area residents had taken shelter to escape fighting, the military said. Ten people were killed. The Media Center of the Defense Ministry blamed the separatist Tamil rebels for the attack. No comment was immediately available from the insurgents. Dozens of rebels infiltrated the town of Muttur during fierce fighting and soldiers were trying to flush them out, chief government spokesman, Keheliya Rambukwella said Thursday. Muttur is in Trincomalee district, the latest flash point in the ongoing clashes between the separatist rebels and the military.