Sri Lanka's national carrier announced yesterday it was halting night flights in and out of the island's only international airport with immediate affect amid fears of more nocturnal Tamil Tiger raids.

The decision came the day after officials said airlines had to stop night operations by May 10, when Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo will limit its hours to between 4:30 am (2200 GMT) and 10:30 pm (1700 GMT).

SriLankan Airlines, which is partly owned and fully managed by Emirates airlines of Dubai, said its newly scheduled flights would operate well within that window.

"The safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft is our prime concern and one that we will not compromise

under any circumstances," SriLankan Chief Executive Peter Hill said.

The airport shares a runway with the Sri Lankan Air Force, the target of the first ever Tiger air raid on March 26.

Another attack a week ago also saw the flying Tigers again cross international flight paths, and several passenger jets had to be diverted to the southern Indian city of Chennai.

Meanwhile at least three people were killed in fresh clashes between troops and Tamil Tiger rebels in northern Sri Lanka, the guerrillas said Friday.

The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they beat back an attack by around 300 Sri Lankan army troops along their frontline in the Wanni late Thursday and killed two soldiers.