By Xinhua
Colombo : Sri Lanka's military said Thursday five Tamil Tigers rebels have been killed after troops engaged them in eastern Batticaloa district.
The Media Center for National Security said in a statement three soldiers were also injured in Wednesday's battle in Thoppigala area, the last stronghold of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in eastern province.
Troops also recovered a large quantity of LTTE weapons, the statement added.
Clashes between government troops and LTTE rebels are now an almost daily occurrence in the island's north and east.
About 5,000 troops, rebels and civilians have been killed since December 2005 despite a Norwegian-arranged truce in place.
The LTTE has been fighting for an independent homeland for Sri Lanka's 12.5 percent minority Tamils since the 1970s.