The Sri Lankan Air Force resumed aerial strikes against suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam positions on Friday ahead of plans for a mass funeral for 64 people killed in a bus bombing suspected to be carried out by the rebels on Thursday.

Supersonic jets attacked rebel strongholds in the northern and eastern regions of the island, a military official said in Colombo, adding that there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Tigers confirmed air strikes but did not provide any details of casualties or damage.

• Sri Lanka on the brink, again

The air strikes came as government officials released the bodies of the 64 people killed in Thursday's claymore mine attack in an overcrowded civilian bus in the north-central district of Anuradhapura.

The state will meet the funeral expenses and pay compensation to the families of the victims, a government official in the area said when contacted by telephone.

• Complete Coverage: The War in Sri Lanka

President Mahinda Rajapakse visited the area on Thursday and ordered the immediate release of compensation to the families, officials said.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources close to the peace process said the LTTE bombings and retaliatory strikes had the potential to further escalate the conflict.

More Reports from Sri Lanka