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Sri Lanka rebel boats 'destroyed' Sri Lanka rebel boats 'destroyed'
(about 9 hours later)
The Sri Lankan navy says that four Tamil Tiger military boats have been destroyed in a sea battle off the country's north-eastern coast. The Sri Lankan navy says it has destroyed four Tamil Tiger military boats in a sea battle off the country's north-eastern coast.
The navy said one of its vessels was damaged in a blast during the fighting.The navy said one of its vessels was damaged in a blast during the fighting.
A pro-rebel website said the Tigers attacked a Sri Lankan convoy and destroyed a navy attack craft.A pro-rebel website said the Tigers attacked a Sri Lankan convoy and destroyed a navy attack craft.
Fighting is continuing around the sole remaining rebel stronghold of Mullaitivu as the army presses ahead with its offensive. Meanwhile, the government has insisted that no civilians have been killed in fighting around the sole remaining rebel stronghold of Mullaitivu.
Rebel leader Fears remain for thousands of civilians caught in the conflict zone.
The Red Cross has called for a safe escape route for them. The safety of patients in hospitals within the conflict zone is also a concern.
'False information'
Navy spokesman Capt DKP Dassanayake said that patrol vessels attacked a number of rebel boats off Mullaittivu late on Monday.Navy spokesman Capt DKP Dassanayake said that patrol vessels attacked a number of rebel boats off Mullaittivu late on Monday.
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He said the navy sank rebel boats and a naval boat was damaged when explosives stored in a rebel boat exploded.He said the navy sank rebel boats and a naval boat was damaged when explosives stored in a rebel boat exploded.
But a pro-rebel website quoted the rebels as saying that they had attacked a Sri Lankan convoy and destroyed a navy fast attack craft.But a pro-rebel website quoted the rebels as saying that they had attacked a Sri Lankan convoy and destroyed a navy fast attack craft.
Independent journalists are not allowed in the conflict zone and information from both sides cannot be verified.Independent journalists are not allowed in the conflict zone and information from both sides cannot be verified.
The sea battle has come at a time when the government has intensified its offensive against the rebels.The sea battle has come at a time when the government has intensified its offensive against the rebels.
The army says it is pressing ahead after capturing Kilinochchi - the rebels' administrative centre - and the strategically important Elephant Pass.The army says it is pressing ahead after capturing Kilinochchi - the rebels' administrative centre - and the strategically important Elephant Pass.
Elephant Pass was the latest strategic victory in the offensiveElephant Pass was the latest strategic victory in the offensive
The Tigers have been fighting for a separate homeland for 25 years. At least 70,000 people have been killed in the insurgency. Health Secretary Dr Athula Kantha Liyanage denied reports of civilian deaths in the current fighting in the north of the country.
The BBC's Ethirajan Anbarasan in Colombo says he particularly singled out the BBC for quoting medical staff working inside rebel-held areas who said that at least 18 civilians had been killed in the fighting over the weekend.
Dr Liyanage said a doctor from the rebel-held town of Mullaitivu had told him there had been no civilian deaths.
Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe accused the BBC and other media outlets of broadcasting "false information" about civilian casualties in the battlefields of the north.
Correspondents say that the government is sensitive over the way the domestic and international media have covered the conflict.
Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinge complained on Tuesday that a speech he made last week in parliament about the death of the prominent newspaper editor, Lasantha Wickramatunga, had been cut off by the state-run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation which broadcast music instead.
"It is clear... that there are forces that the government cannot control," he said, "and I request from the honourable Speaker to inquire why these songs were added... and take the necessary steps."
Rebel leader
The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for a separate homeland for 25 years. At least 70,000 people have been killed in the insurgency.
The rebels had established a de facto state squeezed between government-controlled Jaffna in the north and the rest of the country.The rebels had established a de facto state squeezed between government-controlled Jaffna in the north and the rest of the country.
But the latest military offensive has forced the rebels to give up much of their territory.But the latest military offensive has forced the rebels to give up much of their territory.
The Sri Lankan navy says it has deployed more than 25 vessels off the north-eastern coast to prevent the rebels from escaping the area they have been restricted to. The Sri Lankan navy says it has deployed more than 25 vessels off the north-eastern coast to prevent the rebels from escaping from the area they have been restricted to.
The military is on high alert to prevent the possible escape of top Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, although some analysts say it is unlikely he will either flee or be taken alive. The military is on high alert to prevent the possible escape of top Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, although some analysts say it is unlikely he will be captured alive.
Fears remain for thousands of civilians caught in the conflict zone.
The Red Cross has called for a safe escape route for them. The safety of patients in hospitals within the conflict zone is also a concern.
The government said last week it was fully prepared to handle "the mass exodus of civilians" the fighting with the rebels might cause.
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