Lankan army bombs rebel areas: 21 dead

Air force jets attacked a rebel intelligence base deep in northern Sri Lanka early yesterday, stepping up a punishing wave of airstrikes a day after Tamil Tiger fighters launched a surprise attack on a military base, the military said.
A toal of 21 people were killed in separate battles.
Meanwhile UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed "concern" over escalating violence between government forces and LTTE rebels in northern Sri Lanka and reminded the two parties of their obligation to ensure safety of civilians.
Ban statement comes in the wake of Sri Lankan government's request that United Nations relief workers relocate from conflict affected areas.
The United Nations has already announced its decision to withdraw its aid workers from Sri Lanka's embattled north, where a major military offensive is underway.
The Tamil Tigers said the bombs hit a civilian settlement in the rebel's administrative capital of Kilinochchi, destroying 12 houses.
Separate battles between the two sides killed 19 rebels and two soldiers, the military said.
The air force has conducted a series of bombing raids over rebel-held territory in the north.
The military said that attack killed 13 troops, 1 civilian and 11 of the attackers. The rebels said at least 20 government troops and 10 rebel fighters were killed.
The raid also injured two Indian technicians who were servicing a radar system at the base, said Dinkar Asthana, a spokesman for the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
The UN Secretary General reminded all parties "of their responsibilities to take active steps to ensure the safety and freedom of movement of civilians, to allow humanitarian organisations to do their work in safety."