Colombo - An estimated 6,000 civilians have moved into a "safe zone" declared by the government in northern Sri Lanka as fighting between security forces and Tamil rebels continued, a government minister said Wednesday.

Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rakbukwella told journalists that civilians have started to move into the safe zone, covering an area of three villages in Mullaitivu district, 370 kilometres north-east of the capital.

Colombo - Government troops pushed Tuesday into the last few strongholds of the Tamil rebels in north-eastern Sri Lanka, the military said, amid growing concern over civilians caught in the conflict.

Troops were moving in the Mullaitivu district, 395 kilometres north-east of Colombo, after capturing the main town in the area Sunday, military officials said.

Fresh concerns were being expressed both within Sri Lanka and internationally about the plight of civilians in rebel-held areas.

In a significant move, Sri Lanka Cricket has announced that it has granted the worldwide rights to broadcast India's upcoming cricket tour of Sri Lanka to the Nimbus Sports International. The Singapore-headquartered global sports management company will also be producing the television coverage for the series which will be broadcast worldwide. Neo Cricket will air these matches.

Colombo - The United Nations office in Sri Lanka Thursday accused Tamil rebels of holding back its local staff members and demanded that they be allowed to return to government-controlled areas.

The staffers were part of a UN convoy which traveled to the northern Wanni area, on January 16, delivering urgent food and emergency supplies to displaced populations, the UN said in a statement.

The statement made no mention about the number of staff held back.

Colombo - Navy and ground troops battled Tamil rebels in separate confrontations Tuesday as security forces were closing upon the main rebel stronghold in northern Sri Lanka, military officials said.

New clashes between advancing security forces and rebels were reported in three locations in Mullaitivu district, 375 kilometres north-east of the capital Colombo.

The military said "fierce fighting" was reported in the areas and at least seven dead rebels were recovered. One rebel base with fortified bunkers also was found during the operation. The military made no mention about casualties of soldiers.

Colombo - Troops in northern Sri Lanka located an airstrip used by Tamil rebels, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said Friday.

The airstrip was near a major irrigation tank in Iranamadu, of the Kilinochchi district, 370 kilometres north east of the capital, he said.

The Defence Ministry said troops reported the strip was 300 metres long and 15-20 metres wide.

"What we see here is more or less a conventional airstrip but adequate for a shorter liftoff," a military official was quoted by the ministry as saying.