Sri Lanka military says it captures small northern town

Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said the soldiers took control of Adampan town in northern Mannar district, which could restrict guerrilla movement and transportation of arms. Fifteen rebels and two soldiers were killed in the fighting.

Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not be reached immediately for comment.

It was not possible to obtain independent confirmation of the military's claims because reporters are not allowed in the war zone. Both sides are known to exaggerate death tolls and damage inflicted upon each other while underreporting their own losses.

Separately, a military statement said that scattered clashes Thursday across the northern Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya regions killed another 15 rebels. In a separate clash Thursday in Mannar, 10 other rebels were killed and a small patch of land was captured, the military said.

The rebels did not comment on the military's claims.

Troops have battled for months over territory around the rebels' northern strongholds, promising they would crush the insurgents by the end of the year.

The rebels have strongly resisted and halted some military advances.

Tamil Tigers have fought since 1983 to create an independent homeland for minority Tamils who have been marginalized by successive governments controlled by majority Sinhalese. More than 70,000 people have been killed.