Colombo  - A strategic town held by Tamil rebels in northern Sri Lanka was taken into the control of government forces Sunday as they continued an advance into rebel-held areas, military officials said.

Oddusuddan town, 320 kilometers north east of Colombo, was taken by the army after weeks of fighting.

The town is the main area before the rebel stronghold of Mullaitivu which is the last rebel stronghold. Several other villages remain under rebel control in the area, local reports said.

The capture of the town came two days after government forces took control of the administrative centre of the rebels in Kilinochchi, 385 kilometres north of the capital. (dpa)