Sri Lankan Troops Repel Rebel Attack

Government soldiers repelled a Tamil Tiger rebel attack on a northern army base, leaving 33 people dead, a government spokesman said Saturday.

At least 30 rebels and two soldiers were killed and 11 soldiers were wounded during the fighting in Jaffna Peninsula, government spokesman Ariya Rubasinghe said. One civilian was killed by rebel shelling.

The Tamil Tiger rebels did not immediately offer any statement. The government’s report could not be independently confirmed because journalists generally are not allowed in the war zone.

The confrontation took place ahead of elections for Parliament, scheduled for Tuesday. More than 50 people, mainly government supporters, have been killed during the campaign, including three governing party candidates. Police, fearing more rebel attacks, told government ministers on Friday to avoid public appearances.

Rubasinghe said the rebels were killed when the army fought back the assault Thursday on Nagar Kovil army base, 20 miles northeast of Jaffna city.

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels are fighting to carve out a Tamil homeland in the north and east of Sri Lanka. More than 62,400 people have been killed in the 17-year war.