By DPA,
Colombo : Government troops recaptured two areas controlled by Tamil Tiger rebels and killed at least 26 rebels during a military offensive in northern Sri Lanka, a military spokesman said Friday.
Two soldiers were also killed as troops advanced in the Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts, more than 300 km north of the capital.
Two strategic towns, Palamoddai and Ulathuvely, in Vavuniya were captured overnight, the spokesman said.
Troops fighting in the Vannerikulam area of the Kilinochchi district killed at least 12 rebels Thursday. Fourteen more rebels were killed and seven others injured in the Vavuniya and Mullativiu districts.
The operations against rebels to recapture areas under their control were launched in April 2006 and since then more than 10,000 rebels and 1,900 soldiers have been killed, according to figures provided by the military.
However there is no independent confirmation about the casualty figures given by the military.