COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, DEC 11, SPA -- Clashes between Tamil Tiger rebels and government soldiers in eastern Sri Lanka have left 64 combatants dead, the military said on Monday. An officer at the government's Media Center for National Security said 24 soldiers were killed and 69 wounded in Sunday's artillery and mortar battle with the insurgents in the eastern Batticaloa district. Forty rebels were also killed in the clash, the officersaid speaking on condition of anonymity due to policy. Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan said however at least seven rebel fighters died in the clashes. The military said on Sunday guerrillas mounted artillery attacks on four army locations in Batticaloa district, prompting soldiers to launch retaliatory attack, the Associated Press reported.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/410293