Colombo - Heavy fighting raged between government troops and Tamil rebels in northern Sri Lanka as soldiers inched their way into rebel-controlled areas amidst mounting casualties on both sides, reports from the area said, officials and rebel sources said Thursday.

Tamil rebels claimed they killed 89 soldiers in fighting outside Kilinochchi town, 360 kilometres north of the capital, on Wednesday, but the military claimed they lost only 20 soldiers in the fighting and killed at least 27 rebels.

Colombo, Dec. 9 : During a UNDP meeting held here, experts have proposed a five-point action agenda to reduce inequalities within and between countries in Asia, which they say have contributed to social strife.

It was felt that while Asia and the Pacific is the fastest growing region in the world, the benefits of growth have been distributed unevenly, benefiting certain countries more than others.

Colombo - Tamil rebel chief Velupillai Prabhakaran Thursday declared that his movement was looking to renew good relationships with neighbouring India.

Prabharkan in his annual speech to mark what the rebels call a "Heroes Week" coinciding with his 54th birthday said "We wish to express our goodwill and are looking forward to the opportunity to build a constructive relationship."

Colombo - Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa Thursday condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai that killed at least 101 people and called for a concerted action to eradicate terrorism.

"These unfortunate attacks bring into focus the urgent need for concerted action by all countries to eradicate the menace of terrorism, wherever it is, and whoever the leaders and manipulators of such violence may be," President Rajapaksa said in a statement.

Chennai, Nov 25 : Top leaders from Tamil Nadu will meet Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on December 04 to discuss the Sri Lankan issue.

The decision was taken at an all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Chennai today.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party boycotted the meeting.

Political parties in Tamil Nadu have been reiterating their demand for ceasefire between the Sri Lankan forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Colombo– Heavy fighting between government troops and Tamil rebels raged for the third successive day in northern Sri Lanka on Monday as the military claimed they killed at least 120 rebels and lost 27 soldiers.

Military officials said fighting was continuing around the outskirts of Kilinochchi, a stronghold of the rebels located 370 kilometres north of the capital, as troops had surrounded the areas from three fronts.

The defence ministry quoted military officials from the battlefield saying 27 soldiers were killed and 70 others were injured on Sunday. The military put the rebel death toll at