Colombo  - Government troops were advancing from three fronts to a strategic town in northern Sri Lanka Sunday as Tamil rebels were set to mark two anniversaries.

The defence ministry said troops are marching towards Kilinochchi, 370 kilometres north of the capital, which has been a Tamil stronghold and centre of rebel administration for more than a decade.

The army Sunday launched attacks at earth embankments built around the outskirts of Kilinochchi, the Defence Ministry said.

The government campaign comes as Tamil rebels prepare to mark both the birthday of chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, who turns 54, and Heroes Week, in which members killed during the Tamil's 25-year- campaign for independence are remembered.

By Sunday noon troops had captured three rebel positions on the embankment, the ministry said, although more details were not immediately available.

Rebels have made no comment about Sunday's fighting, but claimed that six soldiers were killed on Saturday around the same areas. The claim has been denied by the army.

Reports from the north said that rebels were unlikely to hold elaborate commemorative ceremonies in view of the virtual siege by Sri Lankan government forces, but smaller events are expected to be held.

Government troops have confined the main rebel fighting forces to two districts in the north, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. More than 200,000 displaced persons are currently living in the two districts. (dpa)