COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, APRIL 23, SPA -- SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT FORCES ON SUNDAY SHOT AND KILLED THREE TAMIL REBELS IN TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS IN THE COUNTRY’S NORTHEAST AFTER THE INSURGENTS LOBBED HAND GRENADES AT THE SOLDIERS, THE DEFENSE MINISTRY SAID. THE FIGHTING IS PART OF AN UPSURGE IN VIOLENCE THAT HASLEFT AT LEAST 69 PEOPLE DEAD THIS MONTH, 40 OF THEMSOLDIERS OR POLICE, PLACING A FOUR-YEAR-OLD CEASE-FIRE INJEOPARDY. ANOTHER REBEL, QUESTIONED SUNDAY BY POLICE AT A CHECKPOINT NEAR THE NORTHERN TOWN OF POLONNARUWA, BIT DOWN ON A CYANIDE CAPSULE CARRIED AROUND HIS NECK IN AN APPARENT SUICIDE ATTEMPT, MILITARY SPOKESMAN, BRIG. PRASAD SAMARASINGHE, TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. --SPA 1432 Local Time 1132 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/355542