Tamil Tiger rebels have launched an attack on an air force base in the north of Sri Lanka, the country's Defence Ministry says.
Gunfire and explosions could be heard in Anuradhapura, 210km (130 miles) north of the capital Colombo, before dawn on Monday, the ministry stated.
Local residents confirmed that there was firing around the base.
The Tamil Tigers are fighting for a separate homeland for the Tamil minority in the north and east. ( BBC )