The United Nations has added its voice to criticism of an artillery bombardment by the Sri Lankan army that killed at least 65 civilians.The UN's relief coordinator, Jan Egeland, says the attack "shows that force continues to be used indiscriminately in the conflict in Sri Lanka".

The United States has called for an "immediate, independent investigation" into the incident.

Wednesday's shelling hit a school that was sheltering about 1,000 displaced people in the Vakarai area in Batticaloa District of eastern Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's government has expressed regret over the civilian deaths, but blamed Tamil Tiger separatist rebels for using human shields.

Fighting between the Tigers and the government has displaced almost 200,000 people since April.

Legislator shot dead

A pro-rebel Tamil legislator, Nadarajah Raviraj, has been shot dead in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo as he drove to work. His bodyguard was also killed in the attack.Police say gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on their vehicle as Mr Raviraj left his home. The gunmen escaped.

Mr Raviraj is a member of parliament from the Tamil National Alliance and a former mayor of the northern town of Jaffna.

Sea battles

Clashes have continued in Sri Lanka since peace talks between the two parties broke down in October.In the latest fighting, the military says it has sunk two Tamil Tiger suicide boats in seas off the eastern district of Trincomalee.

The clash came after the military said it destroyed 22 rebel vessels off the island's northern tip a day earlier.The navy is still searching for the crew of two navy boats, one sunk and one damaged, following the battle.

Officials say five sailors have been rescued, but there are no details of fatalities.The Tigers have accused the navy of provoking that clash, saying their vessels were attacked while conducting exercises at sea. They said they have all returned safely to shore.

Source:
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1785364.htm