Two soldiers were injured in two separate attacks carried out by the suspected Tamil Tigers in eastern Sri Lanka on Sunday, said defense officials.

A bus carrying troops came under grenade attack and gunfire at Valaichchenai in Batticaloa district at around 5:30 p.m. local time (1130 GMT). A soldier suffered injuries.

A few minutes later a three wheel taxi carrying three soldiers came under attack in the same area, injuring a soldier and a civilian.

The violence which has gripped the Eastern Province continues amidst efforts by the Norwegian peace facilitators to have the government and the Tigers meet at the negotiating table to review the February 2002 cease-fire agreement.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels agreed to have talks with the government following accusations leveled at them of assassinating Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on Aug. 12.

However, the government and the LTTE have not agreed on the venue and date of the proposed talks.

Source: Xinhua