Sri Lanka ? Sri Lankan rebels said today they had repelled a coordinated government offensive into rebel-held territory, killing 130 government soldiers and wounding hundreds of other troops. The government denied the claims.

The fighting came as Sri Lankan forces pushed ahead with a monthslong offensive against the Tamil Tigers’ northern stronghold in the face of punishing seasonal rains and stiff rebel resistance.

The latest battles erupted Tuesday when government forces launched attacks on rebel positions in at least four sites in the Kilinochchi district and along the front lines in the Jaffna peninsula, the rebel-linked Web site TamilNet reported, citing Tamil Tiger officials.