COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, April 23, SPA -- The military says a fiercebattle that erupted in northern Sri Lanka has killed 52rebels and 15 soldiers, the Associated Press reported. Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara says thefighting broke out early Wednesday when Tamil Tiger rebelsattacked government fortifications. He says governmenttroops retaliated using small arms, mortar fire and tanks. The battle was the worst clash between the warring sidesthis year. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/548948