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| Tamil Tigers 'launch air strike' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebel group says it has carried out an air attack against government troops in the north of the country. | |
| A rebel spokesman said two aircraft attacked a large military base in the government-held Jaffna Peninsula. | |
| It would be the second time the rebels have used air power, after a strike near the capital, Colombo, last month. | |
| Elsewhere, at least three people were killed and 35 injured by a bomb that hit a passenger bus. | |
| The attack, in Vavuniya district, about 250km (155 miles) north of the capital, Colombo, happened late on Monday night. | The attack, in Vavuniya district, about 250km (155 miles) north of the capital, Colombo, happened late on Monday night. |
| Vavuniya is the last government-held garrison town before territory held by the separatist Tamil Tigers, blamed for the attack by Sri Lankan officials. | Vavuniya is the last government-held garrison town before territory held by the separatist Tamil Tigers, blamed for the attack by Sri Lankan officials. |
| It is the third bombing of a civilian bus so far in April. | It is the third bombing of a civilian bus so far in April. |
| Military officials said the blast was probably caused by a mine planted by the side of the road to target the bus, which was travelling from the neighbouring Mannar area. | Military officials said the blast was probably caused by a mine planted by the side of the road to target the bus, which was travelling from the neighbouring Mannar area. |
| The government and the Tamil Tigers have blamed each other for the recent attacks. | The government and the Tamil Tigers have blamed each other for the recent attacks. |
| Theoretical ceasefire | Theoretical ceasefire |
| Both the Tigers and the military are, officially, still observing a 2002 ceasefire which has become meaningless in practice. | Both the Tigers and the military are, officially, still observing a 2002 ceasefire which has become meaningless in practice. |
| Violence began to increase after the 2005 election of President Mahinda Rajapakse. Since then about 4,000 people have been killed. | Violence began to increase after the 2005 election of President Mahinda Rajapakse. Since then about 4,000 people have been killed. |
| In one of the worst incidents more than 60 people - many of them children - were killed in a mine attack the government said the Tigers carried out on a bus in the town of Kabithigollewa, 200km (125 miles) north of the capital, Colombo, last June. | In one of the worst incidents more than 60 people - many of them children - were killed in a mine attack the government said the Tigers carried out on a bus in the town of Kabithigollewa, 200km (125 miles) north of the capital, Colombo, last June. |
| The Tigers are fighting for a Tamil homeland in the north and east of the island. | The Tigers are fighting for a Tamil homeland in the north and east of the island. |