04 May, 2008 - Published 11:28 GMT

'Heavy fighting' in the north

More heavy fighting is reported between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels in northern Sri Lanka.

A defence ministry statement said that at least eighteen guerrillas and one soldier were killed in clashes in the Mannar district.

Another report, quoting military sources, said a further seventeen rebels had been killed in the Welioya area, where seven soldiers also died.

There's been no word from the rebels.

Accounts of the fighting in Sri Lanka are always hard to verify, because journalists are not permitted to visit front line areas.