Sri Lanka War News Updates -- October 4, 2008

A U.N. convoy carries food past police officers on the highway as they make their way into the war zone in northern Vavuniya October 2, 2008. (Stringer/Reuters)

Sri Lanka: Fighting Kills 20 Rebels, 3 Soldiers
-- International Herald Tribune

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: A new round of fighting between government forces and Tamil separatists across Sri Lanka's embattled northern region has killed 23 combatants, the military said Saturday.

The violence came as government forces closed in on the rebels' administrative capital of Kilinochchi in a campaign aimed at routing the guerrillas and ending the 25-year-old war that has killed more than 70,000 people.

The military has urged civilians seeking to flee the violence to make use of what it calls a safe passage area from the north to government-held territory further south.

Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said that as of Saturday a nearly four-square mile (10-square kilometer) stretch in Mullaitivu district is open for civilians to pass through.

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More News On Sri Lanka's Civil War

Sri Lanka army marches to edge of Tamil Tiger capital -- Reuters
Sri Lanka fighting kills 42, food reaches war zone -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Lankan General claims troops on verge of capturing Kilinochchi -- Zee News
Heavy fighting as military inches towards LTTE strongholds -- Sindh Today
Lankan Army claims it is on verge of capturing Kilinochchi -- Press Trust Of India
Civilians flee Tamil Tiger centre -- BBC News
Lanka set for final assault -- Times Of India