Sri Lankan violence flares

Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels killed a Sri Lankan soldier near the northern city of Jaffna, as troops patrolled the port city of Trincomalee after at least two residents died in clashes between Muslims and Tamils.

Tension has been mounting since Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran warned a week ago that the rebels would step up their struggle for an independent homeland next year if grievances with the Government were not resolved.