LTTE accuses Lanka air force of bombing rebel area

COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan military on Monday destroyed a vessel of Tamil Tiger rebels and captured another as the LTTE accused the air force of bombing areas under their control in the island's north-east.

The rebel boats, which were spotted in the waters off the main eastern seaport of Trincomalee, had opened fire on the navy vessels, which retaliated leading to destruction of one and capture of another, navy spokesman Commander D P K Dassanayake said.

The navy found two bodies and rifles on board, he said, adding search operations are being conducted in the area.

The pro-rebel website TamilNet said that Israeli-built Kfir fighter jets had dropped 18 bombs near civilian settlements in Visvamadu in Mullaitivu district. However, it did not give any casualty figures.

The rebels' website said the air force had intensified bombing of the northern Vanni region, where Velupillai Prabhakaran, the elusive leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is believed to be hiding, in the last week.