Military says over 100 LTTE cadres were killed in a few days

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the troops beat back rebel counter-offensives in four different fronts as they continued their advance into rebel-held territory in the north.

There's been no comment from the Tamil Tigers on the military's claims but they said an air force bombing raid killed two civilians.

'200 killed' in July

Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayake earlier admitted that over 100 soldiers were killed and more than 600 sustained injuries in the battle during the last month.

He told parliament that 24 civilians were also killed in the fighting.

	PM said 106 soldiers and 24 civilians were killed in July

At least 77 Tamil Tigers were killed during the first 15 days in July, according to a Tamil Tiger website.

The LTTE has also admitted that they lost over 20,000 cadres since the conflict against the Sri Lanka state began.

Correspondents say thousands of civilians have also been displaced by the current fighting.

The UN refugee agency warned last week that emergency aid stocks for thousands of Sri Lankans displaced by the fighting in the north are running dangerously low.

A UNHCR spokesman said efforts to replenish the stocks were hindered by strict restrictions on the transport of goods into the region.

The UNHCR said supplies of food, shelter materials, water and fuel were in short supply.