Jaffna defences shored up

Army troops are being attacked on several fronts

New weapons' systems have been sent to beleaguered Sri Lankan troops at an airbase in northern Jaffna.

A spokesman for the Sri Lankan Government said the systems would be operational very soon, but gave no details.

The Tamil Tiger rebels have been shelling the airbase, which provides the main supply route for the troops in Jaffna, and correspondents say government forces have been shoring up the defences there.

Meanwhile, the US-based Human Rights Watch organisation has expressed grave concern about the safety of about 500,000 civilians on the Jaffna peninsula.

Fighting continues

The BBC's Susannah Price in Colombo says the rebels appear to be attacking on several fronts.

Troops fought back effectively to repulse many human waves

Sri Lankan Government

The government said Tamil Tiger rebels were attacking army defences in the peninsula in what they said was an upsurge in fighting.

Eight officers and 35 soldiers were wounded in the fighting the government said.

"Troops fought back effectively to repulse many human waves," the government said in a statement.

Truckloads of pro-government reinforcements were seen heading for the area, near a town called Mile 91.

Click here to see a map of the region

There have also been reports of attacks by Sri Lankan aircraft on rebel artillery positions.

On Thursday, the Tigers said they had continued their advance with the capture of two major roads leading to the provincial capital, Jaffna.

The government denied losing the roads, but said its forces had taken up new defensive positions.

Civilian concern

Meanwhile, the US-based Human Rights Watch has expressed its concern over the plight of about 500,000 civilians caught up in the fighting.

The human rights of civilians caught in this conflict must be protected

Mike Jendrzejczyk, Human Rights Watch

"This growing crisis demands immediate action, by both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]," said Mike Jendrzejczyk, director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division.

"The human rights of civilians caught in this conflict must be protected," he said.

The organisation also urged other countries, including Sri Lanka's neighbours, to provide refuge to those fleeing the crisis.

Indian naval patrols have stepped up their vigil in recent days, to watch out for Tamil refugees heading for its shores.

Norway's move

In another development, Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister, Raymond Johansen, is due to arrive in Colombo on Monday for talks.

Norway has been trying to persuade the two warring sides to the negotiating table.

Mr Johansen is to be accompanied by Erik Solhiem, who has been appointed by Oslo as their special envoy for the peace initiative.

Mr Solheim visited Delhi recently to hold urgent negotiations with senior officials over the ongoing crisis.

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