COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, June 19, SPA -- Sri Lanka's military says a dayof fierce clashes in the island's embattled north has left61 Tamil Tiger rebels and 17 soldiers dead. A military statement says government soldiers and therebels fought several battles in northern Mannar districtSunday, killing 40 rebels and 10 soldiers while three othersoldiers are reported missing. Twenty-one other rebels and seven soldiers were alsokilled Sunday in scattered fighting across Jaffna, Vavuniyaand Welioya regions, the statement was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. Rebels spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan was not immediatelyavailable for comment.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/557143