Sri Lanka fighting kills 38

Sri Lankan troops killed at least 22 Tamil Tiger rebels in fresh fighting in the far north of the island on Friday, the military said, as government forces continue their push against the rebels' northern stronghold. "Troops successfully repulsed a terrorist retaliation attempt south of Mallavi last night," said a spokesman at the Media Centre for National Security. "Troops have recovered 22 bodies of terrorists including two leaders and a search operation is going on." The military said the day earlier fighting in four northern districts had killed 13 Tamil Tiger rebels and wounded 42. Three soldiers had also died and 13 were wounded.