Tigers attack Jaffna harbour

The harbour and airbase are vital supply routes

Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka have shelled the main harbour at Jaffna, a vital supply route for beleaguered government forces.

But while rebels reported that an intense bombardment was under way, defence officials said only a few mortar rounds had been fired towards the harbour at Kankesanthurai, on the northern edge of the Jaffna peninsula.

They said operations had not been affected.

Heavy fighting was also reported in Tanankilappu, around 10km (6 miles) east of Jaffna town, where rebels launched an offensive against government positions early on Saturday.

Government forces had already been suffering heavy casualties

Officials said nine soldiers and 17 Tigers had been killed in a rebel attempt to break through government lines.

Reinforcements were being sent to the area.

Land routes have already been cut off by the rebels, leaving Palaly airport and the harbour as the only means of bringing in men, equipment and supplies.

The airbase has also come under artillery attack, and the government has sent in new weapons sytems to try to shore up defences.

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The BBC's Susannah Price in Colombo says that, even if the mortar rounds do not herald the start of a major offensive, they serve as a warning that the rebels have the means and the will to attack such crucial targets.

Officials say new supplies of artillery weapons have helped them repulse Tiger attacks.

President Kumaratunga has vowed to defend the peninsula

Civilians have been continuing to leave Jaffna town, even though there has been no fighting there.

More than 4,000 refugees staying in schools just outside the town have been visited by Red Cross officials.

The human rights group Amnesty International has called for President Kumaratunga to open an independent inquiry into Wednesday's bomb blast in the eastern town of Batticaloa, after allegations that some of the 20 people who died were shot by security forces after the explosion.

Peace mission

The blast is believed to have been the work of the Tigers.

A peace mission headed by Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister, Raymond Johansen, is due to arrive in Colombo on Monday for talks.

He will be accompanied by Erik Solhiem, who has been appointed by Oslo as their special envoy for the peace initiative.

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