Tamil Tiger guerrillas in Sri Lanka say they have repulsed a major attack by government forces on their northern stronghold at Killinochi.

The Tigers said at least seventy-five government soldiers had been killed, and put their own losses at thirty.

The Sri Lankan government -- which last week imposed military censorship on reports of the fighting -- has issued no detailed statement on the latest clashes.

Correspondents say the government appears to be making another serious push in its year-long attempt to open up the road linking Jaffna, which it controls, to the rest of Sri Lanka.