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SL defence budget biggest ever | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sri Lanka will spend more on defence next year than ever before. The parliament has approved a six point four per cent increase, bringing defence spending up to one point six billion dollars (177 billion rupees). The budget was passed on Monday with a majority of 42 votes. The main opposition United National Party (UNP) that voted for the defence budget, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) voted against the overall budget proposals. Kilinochchi offensive JVP’s breakaway group, Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (NFF) voted with the government. The biggest defence budget came as the Sri Lankan military said they were edging closer to the key Tamil Tiger rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi and were in the vicinity of the town. A defence ministry statement said that, in the latest clashes, government troops captured two rebel bunkers and destroyed another. The Tigers have not commented and there are no independent accounts of the clashes. Kilinochchi is a vital target in the government's efforts to crush the rebels and end their decades-long fight for a separate Tamil state. | LOCAL LINKS  S Lanka rebels 'in fierce fight' Sandeshaya SL Army 'enters rebel town'Sandeshaya Relief efforts in North 03 December, 2008 | Sandeshaya Lanka not among cluster bomb signatories03 December, 2008 | Sandeshaya Flood-hit Sri Lankans 'need help' Sandeshaya Nine killed by floods in north01 December, 2008 | Sandeshaya Offensive against LTTE resumes30 November, 2008 | Sandeshaya EXTERNAL LINKS The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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