Sri Lanka clashes kill 22

Security forces claimed killing 20 Tamil Tiger rebels and injuring 11 in fighting across northern areas in the past 24 hours, placing troop losses at two dead.

There was no immediate comment from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, who have been fighting for an independent homeland for minority Tamils from the majority Sinhalese community. Tens of thousands have died since the separatist campaign erupted in 1972.