It says 10 soldiers had also lost their lives in the battles.

The Tigers have been fighting for an independent state in the north and east since 1983.

The civil war in Sri Lanka has intensified since last month, when the government pulled out of a ceasefire with the rebels.

Monday's fighting took place on the frontlines that surround territory the rebels hold in the north of the island.

Many of the casualties to the Sri Lankan army were caused by landmines and booby traps, according to the military spokesman, Brig Udaya Nanayakkara.

Rare admission

He said troops had pushed across the frontlines in Weli Oya in the north-east on Monday and destroyed bunkers, killing 13 Tamil Tiger fighters.

By the time the forces pulled back to their original positions, 10 soldiers had also died and 25 more had been wounded.

It is rare for Sri Lanka's military to admit suffering such heavy losses in a single battle.

There was more fighting elsewhere on the forward defensive positions that surround Tiger-held territory in the north.

The military says a total of 42 rebels were killed on Monday.

The Tigers have not commented on the claims. But they routinely say the military's figures are wildly exaggerated.

The commander of Sri Lanka's army, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, has said he intends to defeat the Tamil Tigers by the end of this year.

The battles in the north are part of a war of attrition, aimed at weakening the rebels before a possible offensive to take the areas they control.

(BBC)

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