The Defence Ministry said six soldiers were killed in two confrontations since Tuesday evening when the Tigers opened fire them in the Vavuniya district.
COLOMBO: Tamil Tiger rebels shot dead six government soldiers on Wednesday and lost nine of their own in escalating violence in Sri Lanka as the International Red Cross resumed operations to provide safe passage for civilians.
The Defence Ministry said the soldiers were killed in two confrontations since Tuesday evening when the Tigers opened fire them in the Vavuniya district.
The Ministry also claimed that nine Tiger rebels were killed in the island's northeastern Weli Oya region.
The military carried out raids over rebel-held territory for a second straight day on Wednesday. The Tigers said a civilian was killed in the operation.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) resumed its presence at Omanthai and Uyilankulam crossing points, in Vavuniya and Mannar districts respectively.
They had earlier pulled out last week following a stepping up of shelling by government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels.
The ICRC presence is to ensure safe passage for civilians travelling to and from rebel-held areas.
"Under the 2002 ceasefire agreement, it is the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE that decide if crossing points will be open or closed. The ICRC's presence serves as a confidence-building measure between both parties to the conflict in the best interest of civilians," the ICRC said.
So far this year, an average of 25,000 persons have passed through the crossing points each month.
The ICRC had been present on a daily basis since 2002.
"Although its presence at the crossing points will now be reduced to only three days a week, it remains ready to ensure the safe passage of ambulances transporting the sick and wounded whenever necessary," the Red Cross said.
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