11 Sea Tiger boats destroyed, over 70 killed [Monday, September 25, 2006 - 9.45 GMT]

The 11 Sea Tiger boats destroyed yesterday by the Sri Lanka’s Navy Fast Attack Crafts were carrying supplies, ammunition and personnel said Military spokesperson Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe.

The Navy on patrol in the seas off Mullativu around 9.45pm yesterday detected a cluster of Sea Tiger craft. The crafts were launched from Alampil, Mullativu and were heading towards Trincomalee.

According to the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) during a fierce sea battle which lasted for nearly five hours it is believed that more than 70 Sea Tigers were killed and many more injured.

A Fast Attack Craft was slightly damaged during the exchange of fire and five sailors suffered injuries and one was transferred to Colombo for further treatment.

The Air Force assisted the operation by conducting aerial reconnaissance to ascertain whether the terrorist were planning to divert the attention of the Navy and thereby unload the cargo elsewhere in the Eastern coast.

The MCNS reports that intercepted terrorist communication confirmed that the Sea battle was commanded by the third in command of the Sea Tiger wing, Seliyan, and his boat was among those which were badly damaged in the confrontation.

Last week a vessel with ammunition for the terrorist was also sunk by the Navy and the Air Force.

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Last Updated Date: September 25, 2006 -  9.45 GMT