Rebel shell hits college, kills 10 - Sri Lanka army

COLOMBO, Aug 3 (Reuters) A Tamil Tiger artillery shell hit an Arabic college during a battle in eastern Sri Lanka today, killing 10 civilians, the island's military said.

''The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fired the shell.

Ten adults were killed and there are also 20 others injured,'' a military spokesman said.

The rebels and army battled with artillery, mortar bombs and small arms fire today in and around the town of Mutur in the eastern district of Trincomalee. Analysts say the island is sliding back into civil war.

REUTERS DKB VA VV1505