Five killed in fresh gun battles in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: At least five people were killed in two gun battles in Sri Lanka on Saturday in the troubled northern Jaffna peninsula, officials said.   

An army major from the military intelligence corps and another soldier were seriously wounded when gunmen opened fire on them Saturday evening, a defence ministry official said.   

"Troops returned fire and soldiers have managed to kill four of the attackers, including a woman," the official said.

"Troops recovered a grenade launcher and a micro-pistol." In the second incident, suspected Tiger gunmen opened fire at an army checkpoint on the peninsula, killing one soldier and wounding another, the defence official said.   

The clashes came as diplomats from countries supporting Sri Lanka's peace bid travelled to the island's north for talks with Tiger rebels, a day after 18 people were killed in a fresh wave of violence.   

Diplomatic efforts to salvage the island's troubled peace process remain inconclusive in a country where more than 60,000 people have been killed in three decades of ethnic bloodshed.