COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, November 22, SPA -- Soldiers killed 16 separatist Tamil Tigers in separate gun battles in Sri Lanka's north and east on Thursday, the military said. Army troops and rebels exchanged fire in a pre-dawn clashacross the de facto border that separates government- andrebel-held territories in Muhamalai on the northern Jaffnapeninsula, leaving six guerrillas dead, a defense officialsaid on condition of anonymity citing government policy. Hours later, soldiers confronted two guerrilla groups innorthern Mannar district, killing eight insurgents, hewas quoted as saying by the Associated Press. Early Thursday, a clash in Eastern Province's Palathoppurvillage resulted in the death of two rebels, the officialsaid. He said no soldiers were killed in the battles.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/502213