Colombo – Sri Lanka's military said it had killed 37 Tamil separatist rebels Thursday amid mounting casualties on both sides in fierce fighting in northern Sri Lanka.

Both the military and the rebels said Thursday that heavy fighting had taken place over the past two days in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, where government troops have been advancing into rebel-controlled areas.

The rebels, who are seeking autonomy for the Tamil ethnic minority, had earlier handed over 19 bodies of soldiers to the International Committee for the Red Cross to be returned to the army.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said at least 75 soldiers were killed in fighting on Monday and Tuesday, but the military denied the claims.

The LTTE released photographs of what they said were soldiers killed in the fighting and also pictures of weapons and ammunition seized from the military.

The Defence Ministry, meanwhile, said the rebels were losing manpower in the continuous military offensives in the north.

There was no independent confirmation on the rebel casualties given by the military.

The military has claimed that more than 10,000 rebels have been killed during the past two years while it has lost 1,900 soldiers.

The military earlier recaptured rebel-held areas in Eastern Province and parts of the Northern Province and are now heading toward the last two LTTE stronghold districts in the north. It aims to recapture them by the end of the year. dpa