Tamil rebel attack 'repulsed'

Special prayers have been offered for the army's success

The Sri Lankan military says it has successfully repulsed an attack by Tamil Tiger rebels just east of Jaffna Town.

At least 39 rebels were said to have been killed in their latest attempt to capture their former stronghold in the north.

There are no independent confirmations of the report as journalists are banned from the warzone.

The BBC's Susannah Price says that although Tigers said last week they would launch their final assault on Jaffna, they have so far failed to make any significant impact inside the town.

Rebel casualties

A defence ministry statement said waves of Tamil Tigers tried to overrun defences in the Colombuthurai district, and more than 30 were killed.

Heavy artillery was used by the army

The ministry also said troops captured a Tiger bunker on the main highway further to the east, killing nine Tigers.

Soldiers backed by aircraft and artillery guns were said to have pounded rebel positions.

Three rebel boats on the Jaffna lagoon were also attacked by shells fired from tanks on the shore.

There has been no reaction as yet from the Tamil Tigers on the government's statements.

Peace urged

The latest outbreak came as President Chandrika Kumaratunga pledged to work for peace.

We will soon take steps to provide comprehensive and lasting solutions

President Chandrika Kumaratunga

She used the occasion of a Buddhist holiday in Sri Lanka on Wednesday to call for national unity and end to the conflict.

"We will soon take steps to provide comprehensive and lasting solutions drawing from the philosophy of Buddhism based on equality with honour and co-existence which everybody can accept," she said.

Her statement was made amid mounting concern on the plight of civilians caught in the conflict.

Aid agencies said many civilians were leaving the town of Jaffna because of the heavy fighting.

During the hours when curfew is lifted, increasing numbers of people have been seen moving into Jaffna from areas of battle, and growing numbers have moved out of the town.

Jaffna is seen as the centre of Tamil culture and was captured by the army in 1995 after it had been under Tamil Tiger control for five years.