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Further sea clashes off Sri Lanka Further sea clashes off Sri Lanka
(about 4 hours later)
There have been further clashes at sea between the navy and Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka, a navy spokesman says.There have been further clashes at sea between the navy and Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka, a navy spokesman says.
He said the navy had sunk two Tiger boats, killing a number of rebels, off the eastern district of Trincomalee.He said the navy had sunk two Tiger boats, killing a number of rebels, off the eastern district of Trincomalee.
On Thursday, the military said it had sunk 22 rebel boats and lost two of its own off the northern Jaffna peninsula.On Thursday, the military said it had sunk 22 rebel boats and lost two of its own off the northern Jaffna peninsula.
Separately, the US has criticised the Sri Lankan army for an artillery bombardment that killed dozens of civilians in the east of the island.Separately, the US has criticised the Sri Lankan army for an artillery bombardment that killed dozens of civilians in the east of the island.
The navy spokesman, DKP Dassanayake, said a patrol had detected the rebel boats off the port city of Trincomalee early on Friday.The navy spokesman, DKP Dassanayake, said a patrol had detected the rebel boats off the port city of Trincomalee early on Friday.
"The boats were mingling with dozens of boats of fishermen who normally return with their catch early in the morning," navy spokesman told the Associated Press. "The boats were mingling with dozens of boats of fishermen who normally return with their catch early in the morning," the navy spokesman told the Associated Press.
"We destroyed the two boats of the terrorists, which were laden with explosives as there were huge sounds.""We destroyed the two boats of the terrorists, which were laden with explosives as there were huge sounds."
Mr Dassanayake said each rebel suicide boat was carrying three people and "all on board the boats were killed".Mr Dassanayake said each rebel suicide boat was carrying three people and "all on board the boats were killed".
There was no immediate comment from the rebels on the incident.There was no immediate comment from the rebels on the incident.
'Ferry attacked''Ferry attacked'
The defence ministry said Thursday's clashes began after rebels attacked naval vessels in an attempt "to disrupt the supply of essential items to the Jaffna peninsula".The defence ministry said Thursday's clashes began after rebels attacked naval vessels in an attempt "to disrupt the supply of essential items to the Jaffna peninsula".
At least 20 sailors were missing following the clashes on Thursday.At least 20 sailors were missing following the clashes on Thursday.
The rebels say they lost five of their members, and that they killed at least 25 sailors and captured four more.The rebels say they lost five of their members, and that they killed at least 25 sailors and captured four more.
The defence ministry said "suicide cadres" were on board the rebel boats, and accused the Tigers of seeking to sink a passenger ship carrying 300 civilians from Trincomalee to Jaffna.The defence ministry said "suicide cadres" were on board the rebel boats, and accused the Tigers of seeking to sink a passenger ship carrying 300 civilians from Trincomalee to Jaffna.
The rebels, meanwhile, say their vessels were conducting exercises when they were attacked by the navy.The rebels, meanwhile, say their vessels were conducting exercises when they were attacked by the navy.
They deny trying to attack the passenger ferry, and say no such vessel was in the area.They deny trying to attack the passenger ferry, and say no such vessel was in the area.
'Human shields''Human shields'
Both sides blame each other for starting Thursday's sea battle, which came a day after heavy army shelling killed dozens of refugees in the east of the island.Both sides blame each other for starting Thursday's sea battle, which came a day after heavy army shelling killed dozens of refugees in the east of the island.
The US has strongly criticised the incident and urged the Sri Lankan government to launch an "immediate, independent" investigation into the incident.The US has strongly criticised the incident and urged the Sri Lankan government to launch an "immediate, independent" investigation into the incident.
"We exhort the government of Sri Lanka to adopt corrective measures to prevent civilian casualties that also take into account instances where civilians may be used as 'human shields' in the future," the US state department said in a statement."We exhort the government of Sri Lanka to adopt corrective measures to prevent civilian casualties that also take into account instances where civilians may be used as 'human shields' in the future," the US state department said in a statement.
Sri Lanka peace negotiator Erik Solheim said he was "very troubled" by the attack. Human rights group Amnesty International called it "appalling"Sri Lanka peace negotiator Erik Solheim said he was "very troubled" by the attack. Human rights group Amnesty International called it "appalling"
Nearly 3,000 people have been killed in fighting since late last year, the government says.Nearly 3,000 people have been killed in fighting since late last year, the government says.
Government forces and rebels have frequently clashed on land and at sea this year as a threadbare ceasefire has unravelled.Government forces and rebels have frequently clashed on land and at sea this year as a threadbare ceasefire has unravelled.
Last month, the rebels carried out a suicide attack on a naval installation at the port of Galle, a popular southern tourist destination.Last month, the rebels carried out a suicide attack on a naval installation at the port of Galle, a popular southern tourist destination.