Sri Lanka's government troops which are making rapid advances into the Tamil Tiger held territory in the north have captured yet another key location, defense officials announced Sunday.

"The Task Force 4 operating in the Mullaithivu district have today captured Nedunkerni. This was after yesterday's (Saturday) operations conducted in the area", Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, the military spokesman said.

The fall of Nedunkerni will provide rod access to the troops to all three important locations, Puliyankulam, Oddusudan and Mullaithivu, Nanayakkara added. "This will help us tremendously in the future operations".

The military's announcement Sunday came as the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) websites reported heavy clashes in the area.

The Army's consolidation in the present operations is aimed at capturing from rebel control, Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu districts, the last two rebel strongholds in the northern province.