The World : Sri Lankan Rebels Slay 55

Sinhalese extremists in Sri Lanka killed at least 55 people in a 24-hour rampage--the bloodiest series of attacks so far in their drive to topple the government and derail a Dec. 19 presidential election, officials said. Police and military officials said most of the slayings occurred in two southern districts that are strongholds of the People’s Liberation Front, an extremist group that has reportedly killed more than 2,300 people--primarily members or supporters of President Junius R. Jayewardene’s ruling United National Party--in the last 18 months. At least 12 suspected rebels also were found dead.