Sri Lanka army 'takes rebel base'

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Sri Lanka's military says it has captured a base of the rebel Tamil Tigers' naval wing in operations in the north-west of the country.

Five rebel boats were captured, they said. The rebels have made no comment on the claim.

In a new offensive that began on Saturday, troops advanced into an area held by the Tigers.

Government forces have already taken control of the east of the island and want to do the same in the north.

Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said the forces had met little resistance as they advanced into Silavathurai near Mannar, and overran a base of the Sea Tigers.

Roadside bomb

Brig Samarasinghe said the base had been used as a transit point to smuggle in explosives.

On Saturday a roadside bomb in the area killed nine fleeing civilians and injured four more, according to the rebels, who blamed government forces. The army denied involvement.

The military operation has been taking place on the edge of a swathe of territory held by Tigers in the north where they run a civil administration.

Fighting has risen over the past year, with thousands of people killed. A 2002 truce exists now only on paper.

Government forces recaptured the last rebel base in the east of the island in July, but the Tigers still control large parts of the north.

The rebels want independence for the minority Tamil community in the north and east, who they say are discriminated against by majority Sinhalese.