Monday, December 27 2004 12:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: At least 4,857 people were killed and 1,555 reported missing in Sri Lanka a day after killer Tsunami waves swamped almost the entire coastline, officials said today (Dec 27, 2004).

The figures were totted up as the military and Tamil rebels recovered bodies along the devastated seaboard stretching from the North of the island to its Western reaches.

The military said 4,013 civilians and 44 military personnel were killed and 1,555 others, including 17 troopers were missing in the aftermath of the tidal waves which also smashed houses, uprooted trees and ripped up railway lines.

"Our figures do not reflect what has happened in the Wanni where Tigers dominate," a military spokesman said.

The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they recovered at least 800 bodies, but feared the toll could be higher.

Both the Government and the LTTE have called for urgent international aid to help deal with the islands worst-ever catastrophe.