Security alert in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: A government security alert was in place across Sri Lanka on Sunday after Tamil Tiger rebels vowed to retaliate for a day of heavy battles on land and sea that left more than 50 people dead.

Already tight security was further strengthened in the face of escalating violence in northern and eastern regions on Saturday that saw furious fighting between the rebels and government soldiers.

"We have made sure that security is tight," Colombo police chief Chandra Fernando said on Sunday. "We are seeking public cooperation to track down any suspicious activity."

Fernando said the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had deployed a new type of sea mine along the northwest coast of the island against a naval patrol, but five divers laying the mines were arrested.

The arrests came as the LTTE warned that the country will be pushed back to a fatal war if the military resumes air strikes against suspected Tamil Tiger positions.