Tamil Tigers killed in Sri Lanka

The authorities in Sri Lanka say government troops have killed at least 11 Tamil Tiger fighters, in an upsurge of fighting.

Troops killed three women fighters at Weli Oya, while another four rebels were killed in a separate confrontation in the same area.

Four more rebels were killed in the Jaffna peninsula.

Two government soldiers were also killed by a bomb which went off while they were searching an abandoned house in Chavakachcheri.

The Tigers called a truce in December which they have extended every month since, but have warned that they might withdraw it unless the military stop their attacks.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service