Colombo: Fresh violence erupted in Sri Lanka today (Nov 23, 2006) with the military attacking territory held by Tamil Tiger rebels in the eastern parts of the country even as Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon arrived here to discuss the worsening situation in the island nation.

Menon is due to meet Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse later today.

His visit follows serious concern expressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over renewed violence in the island's embattled regions.

The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said troops were advancing on positions held by them in the eastern district of Batticaloa, but the Sri Lankan defence ministry said it was the Tigers who had initiated an offensive.

The ministry said seven soldiers were wounded in the battle, but gave no details of rebel casualties.

"The security forces sought the assistance of the air force to engage their (Tiger) gun and mortar positions in addition to the use of all other resources available there," the ministry said in a statement.

Fighting in the island nation has escalated in the past year despite a truce that is in place since 2002.