It was not possible to get independent accounts of the clashes because the war zone is restricted to journalists. Both the government and Tamil Tiger rebels often exaggerate their enemy's casualties and underreport their own.

In the worst of the reported fighting, 25 rebels and two soldiers were killed when the military took control of what it said was a small but important slice of territory in northern Mannar district Saturday.

Clashes in Welioya district killed 14 rebels and three soldiers, the military said in a statement. Another 21 insurgents and a soldier were killed Saturday in scattered battles across Vavuniya and Jaffna districts, the military said.

Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not be reached for comment.

The Tigers have fought since 1983 to create an independent homeland for ethnic minority Tamils who have been marginalized for decades by successive governments run by majority ethnic Sinhalese.

More than 70,000 people have been killed in the violence.Discuss this story Published: Sun Mar 23 15:45:32 EDT 2008

Unusually heavy torrential rains have caused widespread flooding and landslides in eastern agricultural and rice-growing areas, as well as in the north where the military has launched a fresh offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels.

"Around seven percent of the harvest in major paddy producing areas has been destroyed," said Agriculture Department Director General C. Kudagamage on Sunday. More... Discuss this story Published: Sun Mar 23 15:49:35 EDT 2008

West Indies took the second new ball immediately after the interval and was rewarded when Daren Powell uprooted Prasanna Jayawardene's off stump. The plucky gloveman hit two fours in 21 off 83 balls.

But the Sri Lanka - captain and veteran Vaas forged a magnificent seventh-wicket partnership of 126 that dulled the West Indian edge.

Vaas should have been dismissed when just four but Devon Smith floored a low catch at third slip off Taylor.

Jayawardene was chanceless and stroked the ball beautifully off the front foot, especially through the legside and straight down the ground.

He brought up his century, off 190 deliveries and in five hours, 45 minutes before tea, which his team took at 418-6.

The Sri Lankans upped the tempo after the interval and Jayawardene was dropped on 126 by Dwayne Bravo off Gayle's offspin. He eventually fell to Gayle at 457-7, the victim of an unfortunate decision from umpire Billy Bowden.

The silky right-hander missed a reverse sweep and was adjudged leg before although the ball cannoned into the glove.

Gayle also picked up Thilan Thushara for a duck before the declaration came.

Taylor took four for 110 while Gayle earned two for 66.

Gayle was not as successful with the bat as Vaas dismissed him for the seventh time in six tests, the fifth time without scoring.

Gayle was plumb lbw as he played a tentative defensive stroke.

Vaas almost removed Smith shortly afterward but a fended stroke fell just short of third slip.

But the left-hander and vice captain Sarwan grew in confidence as they survived to the close. Published: Sun Mar 23 21:42:26 EDT 2008