The United Nations has asked the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers for Tamil Eelam to stop fighting and resume peace talks.

"Sri Lankans continue to suffer deeply due to this conflict, and Tuesday's loss of life is a source of deepest concern," UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator Margareta Wahlstrwm said.

"It is imperative that both sides in the conflict take all measures to fulfill their obligations under international law to protect civilians in this conflict. We have too often seen them fall short in this duty," she said.

The killings, the United Nations said, took place in northwestern Sri Lanka during the aerial bombardment of the LTTE-controlled coastal village of Illupaikadavai in Mannar District by the Sri Lankan Air Force.

A number of children were reported to be among the killed and at least 35 other civilians were injured.

Some 3,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict since the resumption of armed hostilities last year, bringing the total number killed to 67,000, according statistics provided by the UN.