Tamil civilians fleeing the LTTE held area in nearly 80 boats from the Pudumathalan coast towards Point Pedro in the early hours today were attacked by armed LTTE craft that gave them chase killing several civilians.

Rapid Attack Craft of the Sri Lanka Navy and other naval vessels spotting the plight of the fleeing civilians moved into the area and attacked the LTTE vessels, causing damages to some cutting off their progress.

The Naval Craft have escorted 12 of the civilian craft to safety. Many more of the original flotilla of nearly 80 civilian craft are reported sailing towards Point Pedro carrying a large number of civilians each.