Navy sinks Tiger boats in Sri Lanka’s northern waters
[22 Feb 2001]

The Sri Lankan Navy confronted the LTTE on Wednesday and sank two Tiger boats in waters off the northern Jaffna peninsula.

"Two of the boats blew up and sank when the navy opened fire, a clear indication that they were transporting explosives," military officials said.

Two other rebel craft were also badly damaged, but the Security Forces could not confirm whether they had sunk.

The LTTE, which has been fighting since 1983 for a separate minority Tamil state in the country's north and east, has declared a unilateral ceasefire. The Sri Lankan government believes it to be a ploy on the terrorists’ part to recoup their losses and further strengthen their depleting armies.

According to Military Officials the navy patrol returned to port without any casualties or damage.

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