13 Dead in Latest Attack in Sri Lanka

Tamil Tiger rebels attacked two Sri Lankan army camps today, killing seven soldiers and wounding 11 others, the Defense Ministry said.

Six rebels were killed when soldiers at the seaside camps in northeastern Sri Lanka retaliated with help from naval forces, said Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Sanath Karunaratne.

On Wednesday, rebels set off a land mine under a passenger bus near the port city of Trincomalee, also in the northeast, the military said. At least 15 people were wounded.

The bus was traveling on a highway about 150 miles northeast of Colombo, the capital. The land mine apparently was detonated by remote control, Karunaratne said.

The blast came a day after the Tigers stormed a police station in Amparai, sparking a fierce battle in which 25 people died.

A government statement said the military had reliable information indicating that the Tigers were preparing to attack state radio and television stations and Colombo’s main power plant.

The rebels are fighting to carve out a homeland for the Tamil minority in the north and east of the island nation. More than 64,000 people have died in the 18-year conflict.