Sri Lanka lost 185 soldiers in Jaffna battle: military sources

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

COLOMBO (AFP) — At least 165 soldiers were killed and 20 more went missing in a major battle with Tamil separatists this week, military sources told AFP on Friday as journalists complained of unofficial censorship.

With reports of higher casualties emerging -- making Wednesday's clash the bloodiest in recent years -- the authorities extended "unofficial" censorship to hospitals and funeral parlours where photographers and reporters were shut out, a media rights group said.

The death toll from the sources were far higher than official defence ministry casualty figures, which gave 43 soldiers dead and 38 missing from Wednesday's fighting in the northern peninsula of Jaffna.

"Some of the senior officers have been told that the army lost 185, including 20 who...