22 LTTE men killed in fierce battle

Friday October 6, 2006 - 09:25 EDT. Colombo, Oct 6. A day after the announcement on dates of fresh talks between the Sri Lanka Government and the LTTE, the Sri Lanka military has claimed that at least 22 cadres of the Tamil Tigers were killed in the east in heavy fighting.

A statement by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) said the fighting ensued after LTTE cadres fired mortars and artillery from areas of Panichchankeri and Vakerai areas with ground-based attacks at troops based in Mankerni.

Political and diplomatic observers here are concerned about the continued fighting despite the commitment on both sides to commence fresh round of talks and cease hostilities. As per the announcement made on Thursday, talks would be held on October 28 and 29.

The agreement for talks is outcome of coaxing virtually from the whole world and mounting worries about plight of close to a million displaced in the island nation. According to a western diplomatic if the hostilities do not stop immediately, the proposed talks in Switzerland could be jeopardised.

"The Tigers initiated these offensive attacks at troops at Mankerni area