The Sri Lankan military says it has repulsed an attack by Tamil Tiger rebels in the north and killed at least a dozen rebels.
Troops engaged rebels in small arm fire, forcing them to flee, the defence ministry said in a statement.
It said the fighting took place north of Iranapalai in Mullaitivu district on Wednesday.
Intense fighting has been going on between the troops and the rebels in the north-east for several weeks now.
The army has driven the Tigers from most of the territory they held.
They are now restricted to a small area of jungle and coast in Mullaitivu district.
The defence ministry said the rebels’ counter-attack was repelled by armour and small arms fire.
"Over a dozen bodies of Tigers were observed lying at the battlefront," it said.
There has been no word from the rebels so far.
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