Colombo - Government troops have taken control a strategic town in northern Sri Lanka after weeks of heavy fighting around the area as the army continues its advance into rebel-held areas, military officials said Wednesday.

Paranthan a town located 385 kilometres north of the capital, was taken by troops on Wednesday evening as Mi 24 helicopters provided air support to advancing troops.

There were no details of any rebel casualties.

Colombo - The Sri Lankan government has offered a relief package to the public amidst pressure from opposition parties to reduce fuel prices and lower the cost of living.

The government has reduced fuel and gas prices with immediate effect and offered incentives for garment, tea and rubber exporters as well as the tourism industry as part of the economic measures.

Colombo - The Sri Lankan government has offered a relief package to the public amidst pressure from opposition parties to reduce fuel prices and keep the cost of living low.

The government reduced fuel and gas prices with immediate effect and offered incentives for garment, tea and rubber exporters and tourism as part of the measures.

The two main opposition parties in Sri Lanka - the United National Party and the Marxist JVP has been carrying out a strong campaign to reduce fuel prices after the Supreme Court ruled to reduce patrol prices by 22 rupees per litre (about 20 US cents).

However, petrol prices were reduced by just 2 rupees per litre and diesel and kerosene by 10 rupees per litre.

Colombo - Tamil rebels abducted 16 children from a Catholic orphanage in northern Sri Lanka to be enlisted in their movement as fighters, according to civilians who have escaped, the defence ministry said Monday.

The children were taken away from the Dharmapuram in Kilinochchi, 320 kilometres north of the capital, after holding two Roman Catholic priests at gunpoint Friday, the army said one civilian reported.

It said the Tamil rebels demanded the priest release all children above the age of 12 to be taken away.

Colombo  - A suicide bomber killed at least eight people, including six paramilitary guards, and injured 17 on the outskirts of Colombo Sunday, military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said.

Colombo  - A suicide bomber killed at least five paramilitary guards and injured 10 others on the outskirts of Colombo Sunday, military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said.

The suspected Tamil rebel attacked detonated himself at a paramilitary guard post located in Wattala, 10 kilometres north of the capital.

The incident came hours after the Sri Lanka navy destroyed a Tamil rebel boat and killed at least four rebels off the northern coast, a navy spokesman said.