Sri Lanka army ponders loss

The Sri Lankan armed forces say they are fortifying a new line of defence after withdrawing from a key military base in the face of an offensive by Tamil rebels.

They said troops were consolidating positions north of the Elephant Pass base, which commands the land route to the Jaffna peninsula in northern Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, Tamil Tiger rebels said they had overrun another government camp in after their successes during the weekend.

The Tigers said they had smashed through government defence lines at Soranpattu, just north of Elephant Pass.

'Tactical retreat'

A Sri Lankan defence spokesman, Brigadier Palitha Fernando, said the army had done its utmost to prevent the Tigers from advancing but had had to pull out to minimise the loss of troops and equipment.

Government troops were forced to vacate a military complex at Elephant Pass on Saturday.

Urgent appeal for blood donations

Army chief General Srilal Weerasooriya said the military would have to change its tactics in the wake of the setback.

The Tamil Tigers said they had seized a huge supply of weapons, mortar shells and military vehicles but the army says it removed or destroyed most of its weapons.

Meanwhile, the government issued an appeal for blood to help treat the wounded.

"Blood is needed urgently in view of the fighting in the north," a blood bank official said.

The Defence Ministry said 79 government soldiers had been killed and 625 wounded in Saturday's battles.

The Tamil Tigers said 35 of their fighters had died, while the government put the number of separatists killed at 150.