Troops Repulse 2 Attacks by Tamil Rebels, Sri Lanka Says
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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A day after the Sri Lankan government rejected a temporary cease-fire offer from separatist rebels, Tamil Tiger forces attacked troops defending the northern Jaffna peninsula. It was the first fighting there in nine days.
The Parliament also extended emergency rule for another month, giving the military sweeping powers to seize property, ban publications and rallies and make arrests.
The two attacks Tuesday--with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars--were the first since April 30 by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam against troops at a defensive line set up to halt the rebel advance toward Jaffna.
On Monday, the rebels offered a temporary cease-fire to enable Sri Lankan troops to withdraw from Jaffna, which the Tamils consider their cultural capital.
Ariya Rubasinghe, the government’s chief spokesman and censor, said the troops repulsed both the assaults.
Defense Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte said troops had advanced from their defensive line and plan to push the rebels “back beyond Elephant Pass,” a causeway linking the Jaffna peninsula with the mainland.
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