Sri Lankan military bombs Tiger positions

The Sri Lankan military has targeted Tamil Tiger territory for a second day, according to reports.

The recent escalation in violence doesn't appear to be abating as the military claimed that it had targeted rebel naval bases in the north west of the country.

However, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) claims that the military shelled a planned humanitarian aid route.

Keheliya Rambukwella, government defence spokesman, told Reuters: "Obviously on the basis of national security, we have to react on certain issues. That can be ... systematic erosion or violation of the ceasefire."

The main donors to Sri Lanka - Norway, the US, the European Union and Japan ? condemned the latest break of a cease fire that appears to exist only in name.

In a joint statement the co-chairs noted: "The co-chairs view with alarm the rising level of violence in Sri Lanka that has led to significant loss of life and widespread human rights violations.

"The co-chairs condemn the continued and systematic ceasefire violations by government of Sri Lanka and LTTE.

"The co-chairs, together with other members of the international community, express their strong support for Norway's ongoing efforts to facilitate the peace process and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission's role in monitoring the ceasefire agreement."

The violence has claimed over 3,000 civilian, military and rebel lives so far this year. Most of the violence is focused on the north eastern region of the country where the Tamil Tigers effectively try and run a separate state in their bid for a recognised land for ethnic Tamils.