Sri Lanka's Navy sank 11 Tamil Tiger vessels and killed dozens of rebels in a fierce five-hour battle overnight, the military said on Monday, a fortnight after the foes agreed to resume peace talks to halt renewed civil war.
Updated at 9.30 am
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's Navy sank 11 Tamil Tiger vessels and killed about 70 rebels in a fierce five-hour battle overnight, the military said on Monday, a fortnight after the foes agreed to resume peace talks to halt renewed civil war.
The navy believes a top Tiger naval commander was killed or injured during the clash at sea around 80 km north of the strategic northeastern habour of Trincomalee -- one of the most serious naval battles since a 2002 ceasefire that lies in tatters.
"There were 25 Sea Tiger boats sailing south. Eleven boats were sunk and about 70 cadres were killed," said Chief Inspector of Police Percy Perera of the Centre for National Security. He said five naval sailors were hurt in the clash.
"Fourteen Tiger craft fled towards (their northeastern base at) Mullaithivu, five of those boats on tow," he added. "They were trying to bring in reinforcements and weapons."
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was not immediately available for comment on the incident, which comes days after a suspected rebel front threatened to recapture recently lost territory on the southern tip of Trincomalee harbour.
However the Tigers have denied involvement in the distribution of leaflets warning residents to leave immediately ahead of a rebel offensive.
The Tigers and government have told peace broker Norway they are prepared to meet for talks after a five-month deadlock to end a new chapter of civil war that has killed hundreds of civilians, troops and rebels since late July.
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