Colombo: In fresh fighting in Sri Lanka, the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) has accused the Army of launching an attack on its camp, in which three rebel were killed, further jeopardizing the island's faltering ceasefire.

The LTTE said heavily armed men, numbering over 30, mounted an attack overnight on one of their posts at Pullumalai, in Batticaloa district.

The LTTE said the attackers were led by Army commandos with the help of a few "para military Tamil militants" but the Army has stoutly denied the allegation saying the incident occurred in the rebel-controlled territory.

"Two attackers were wounded in our counter attack," an LTTE official was quoted as saying on the pro-rebel Tamilnet website.

Military sources denied involvement in the incident. Intercepts of rebel radio communications suggested that at least three Tigers had been killed.

This is the most serious allegation against the Sri Lankan Army accusing it of attacking Tiger positions, a claim vehemently denied by army chief Shantha Kottegoda while attending a ceremony outside the capital today (Sep 8, 2004).

Kottegoda denied the Army had a hand in the latest violence or any support to renegade LTTE commander Karuna and asked the Tigers to provide with evidence to back their charge.

The truce took effect on February 23, 2002 and talks opened in September that year. However, the Tigers have suspended their participation in negotiations since April.

Peace broker Norway is expected to send an envoy next week to try to jumpstart the parleys.