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Rebel boat sunk, says Sri Lanka Rebel boats sunk, says Sri Lanka
(about 3 hours later)
Sri Lanka's navy has destroyed a boat which the Tamil Tiger rebels were using to attempt an attack on Colombo harbour, the defence ministry says. Sri Lanka's military has destroyed three boats it suspects were engaged in planning a Tamil Tiger suicide attack on Colombo harbour.
The boat was sunk after ignoring orders to stop. Two other boats managed to make their escape. The boats were sunk after ignoring orders to stop in or near a restricted area, the defence ministry said.
There was no word on casualties, but local residents reported hearing heavy gunfire near the port.There was no word on casualties, but local residents reported hearing heavy gunfire near the port.
The Tamil Tigers want an independent homeland in the north and east for the country's minority Tamil community.The Tamil Tigers want an independent homeland in the north and east for the country's minority Tamil community.
The boats were seen about 0530 (0000GMT) in a "high security zone" which is out of bounds to unauthorised vessels.The boats were seen about 0530 (0000GMT) in a "high security zone" which is out of bounds to unauthorised vessels.
A guard at a lighthouse noticed the boats and alerted the navy.A guard at a lighthouse noticed the boats and alerted the navy.
As the boats approached Colombo harbour, they were told to stop, but failed to do so. As the boats approached Colombo harbour, they were told to stop, but failed to do so, the defence ministry said.
The air force later joined navy ships in a search for the two boats which fled. The navy hit one of the boats six nautical miles from the harbour, while the other two were pursued further out to sea, and eventually destroyed.
Suicide attacks
One spokesman said "navy fast-boats" sunk the two vessels, but another said it was the Sri Lankan air force.
"It's very clear they are Tamil Tiger boats. It's too early to say if it was a suicide attack," a spokesman for the Media Centre for National Security told Reuters news agency.
The Tigers have often staged suicide attacks, sometimes including seaborne assaults on naval targets. The southern naval port of Galle was attacked in such a way in October.
After two decades of fighting, a truce was signed in 2002 between the Tamil Tigers and the government.After two decades of fighting, a truce was signed in 2002 between the Tamil Tigers and the government.
Although it is still officially in effect, fighting over the past year has left over 3,500 people dead.Although it is still officially in effect, fighting over the past year has left over 3,500 people dead.