Mar 24, Colombo: Fierce fighting between Sri Lankan troops and the Tamil Tiger rebels in the embattled north over the weekend killed at least 100 rebels and five soldiers, the military said today.

According to the Media Center for National Security, the Tigers sustained heavy casualties in clashes on Saturday and Sunday in the districts of Mannar, Vavuniya and Weli Oya.

Troops launched attacks and captured six LTTE bunkers and two mortar positions in the Vavuniya area yesterday. Eleven Tigers have been killed in the offensives and three soldiers were also reported injured in three anti - personnel mine explosions.

Independent accounts of battles are not possible as the access to the battlefronts is restricted.

Sri Lanka government stepped up its military campaign in the north in an effort to weaken the terror outfit militarily.