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Sri Lanka naval battle 'kills 10' Rebels die in Sri Lanka navy raid
(about 3 hours later)
Sri Lanka's navy says it has sunk two Tamil Tiger boats off the island's north-eastern coast, killing at least 10 rebels. A number of Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed in a sea battle off the north-eastern coast.
The boats were in a flotilla of 26 vessels sailing south from rebel-held Mullaitivu, the military said. The navy said it sank two Tamil Tiger boats, part of a flotilla of 26 rebel vessels, and killed at least 10 rebels.
The rebels have made no comment and there is no independent confirmation. The Tigers said no boats were sunk and they repelled the attack, although they admitted three members had died.
Despite a truce still being in place on paper, Sri Lanka has been sliding back towards civil war, with more than 4,000 people killed in the past 15 months.Despite a truce still being in place on paper, Sri Lanka has been sliding back towards civil war, with more than 4,000 people killed in the past 15 months.
Airport closureAirport closure
Military spokesman Brig Prasad Samarasinghe said the rebel flotilla included 10 large and 12 small boats, accompanied by four "suicide boats" used to ram naval vessels. Military spokesman Brig Prasad Samarasinghe said the rebel flotilla, sailing south from Mullaitivu, included 10 large and 12 small boats, accompanied by four "suicide boats" used to ram naval vessels.
Two sailors were slightly hurt, he said.Two sailors were slightly hurt, he said.
The Tigers' military spokesman, Rasiah Ilanthirayan, said that after three hours of fighting, the navy boats retreated to their base in Trincomalee harbour.
This month the navy said it had destroyed the headquarters of the Sea Tigers in Mullaitivu.This month the navy said it had destroyed the headquarters of the Sea Tigers in Mullaitivu.
The Tigers said what was hit was the building of a charity that makes artificial limbs for landmine victims.The Tigers said what was hit was the building of a charity that makes artificial limbs for landmine victims.
The Tamil Tigers are fighting for an independent state in the north and east.The Tamil Tigers are fighting for an independent state in the north and east.
Clashes at sea and on land are now an almost daily occurrence. Both sides say they still respect the ceasefire and are responding to the other side's aggression.Clashes at sea and on land are now an almost daily occurrence. Both sides say they still respect the ceasefire and are responding to the other side's aggression.
This week, it was announced Sri Lanka's only international airport would be closed for night flights following a series of Tamil Tiger air strikes.This week, it was announced Sri Lanka's only international airport would be closed for night flights following a series of Tamil Tiger air strikes.
Tamil Tiger planes targeted on oil facilities in Colombo last Sunday, destroying a fuel storage tank and two buildings.Tamil Tiger planes targeted on oil facilities in Colombo last Sunday, destroying a fuel storage tank and two buildings.