Fifteen rebels and one soldier were killed on Saturday in the northwestern district of Mannar, where troops fired mortar bombs into Tiger territory, the military said, adding 59 rebels and two soldiers were killed across the north on Friday.

The military says it has killed over 200 insurgents since the government announced last week it was formally scrapping a 6-year ceasefire which degenerated into renewed war two years ago, and analysts and diplomats are bracing for more bloodshed.

Over 5,000 people have been killed since 2006 amid near daily air raids, land and sea battles, ambushes and bombings.

"The Tokyo Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, United States and European Union) jointly express their strong concerns about the termination of the 2002 ceasefire agreement by the government of Sri Lanka," the donors said in a joint communique. More... Discuss this story Published: Sat Jan 12 21:16:12 EST 2008

One soldier was killed and 27 others sustained injuries in the fighting, which came even as a Japanese peace envoy's headed for the island to discuss the situation after the scrapping of the 2002 truce.

Troops engaged in fierce artillery duel with LTTE on Saturday morning, killing at least 15 LTTE cadres and injuring scores as troops further advanced into non-liberated Palaikkuli general area, the defence ministry said.

The military said at least 95 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels were killed in a series of gun battles with the security forces in the restive northern parts of the country, with most of the casualties occurring in clashes in Vavuniya and Mannar fronts. More... Published: Sat Jan 12 13:33:52 EST 2008

Norway, Japan, the United States and the European Union, grouped together as the so-called ''Tokyo Co-Chairs,'' also said they support Norway's continuing role as ''facilitator'' of the peace process.

On Jan. 3, the Sri Lankan government gave Norway two weeks notice of withdrawing from the CFA with effect from Wednesday.

The CFA, which existed only on paper with escalation of fighting between government forces and rebels in recent months, had a provision for either party to withdraw from it with two weeks notice.

Diplomats noted that the Tokyo Co-Chairs, representing the donor countries that met in Tokyo in 2003, had pledged massive support for rebuilding Sri Lanka's war-torn areas and reviving the economy but the country had not been able to take full advantage of this due to continued fighting.

The donor group pledged $4.5 billion over three and a half years linked to progress of the peace process.

''The Co-Chairs emphasize their belief that there is no military solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka, and reiterate their support for a negotiated settlement,'' the statement said.

It also expressed ''deep concern'' about the human rights situation and protection of civilians in Sri Lanka and called for an ''appropriate role'' for the United Nations in this regard.

They urged the Sri Lankan government to ''finalize a politically sustainable devolution plan,'' as the government prepared to launch a massive military push against the rebels in the northern Wanni district under its control.Discuss this story Published: Sat Jan 12 13:30:49 EST 2008