A defence ministry spokesman said helicopter gunships and jets had targeted rebel bunkers and artillery positions on the forward defence line at Muhamalai.

It said helicopter gunships were also deployed to attack suspected Tamil Tiger positions in support of ground troops fighting the rebels.

On Saturday, Sri Lanka's president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, urged Tamil Tiger rebels to surrender after government forces captured the strategically significant area of Pooneryn.

No more artillery attacks

A defence spokesman said the main advantage for the military was the removal of Tiger artillery guns at Pooneryn which were used to attack the main Palaly airbase in the Jaffna peninsula and disrupted regular military supply flights

The fall of Pooneryn prevents the rebels from using the north-western seaboard to smuggle weapons and other supplies by boat from India, military officials said.

Attack thwarted

A Tamil Tiger statement say four-pronged attempt by the Sri Lanka Army. "The attempt to break the LTTE Forward Defence Line in Muhamaalai, Kilaali and Kandal in the Northern Front was thwarted on Saturday after 6 hours of stiff resistance, according to LTTE Northern Command" says the statement.

The military has not given details of losses suffered by either side in the battle for Pooneryn.

Tamil Tigers say that they have killed 18 soldiers and wounded 29 in the fighting.