Tamil Tiger rebels have carried out a suicide attack on a naval base in the southern tourist city of Galle, the Sri Lankan military says.
Tamil Tiger rebels have carried out a suicide attack on a naval base in the southern tourist city of Galle, the Sri Lankan military says.
Two rebel boats exploded damaging navy vessels, while fighters in another two boats reached shore as shots were exchanged, security forces said.
Two rebel boats exploded damaging navy vessels, while fighters in another two boats reached shore as shots were exchanged, security forces said.
It is the first time a major tourist hub has been caught up in fighting.
It is the first time a major tourist hub has been caught up in fighting.
On Monday, nearly 100 sailors were killed in the deadliest suicide bombing in the conflict.
On Monday, nearly 100 sailors were killed in the deadliest suicide bombing in the conflict.
Gunboats
Gunboats
In Wednesday's attack, the rebels infiltrated the Dakshina naval facility hiding between fishing boats in the adjoining harbour, a navy spokesman said.
In Wednesday's attack, the rebels infiltrated the Dakshina naval facility hiding between fishing boats in the adjoining harbour, a navy spokesman said.
One boat was destroyed and two others exploded, damaging some naval equipment.
One boat was destroyed and two others exploded, damaging some naval equipment.
Galle suffered badly during the Asian tsunami of 2004
Galle suffered badly during the Asian tsunami of 2004
Another two vessels made it to shore where suspected rebels landed. Fighting went on for about an hour and a search operation for rebels was launched.
Another two vessels made it to shore where suspected rebels landed. Fighting went on for about an hour and a search operation for rebels was launched.
At least three people were reported to have been killed and several injured.
The government says one sailer has been killed, two are missing and 12 were wounded.
As news of the raid spread, some rioters from the majority Sinhalese community attacked shops belonging to the minority Tamils, police said.
As news of the raid spread, some rioters from the majority Sinhalese community attacked shops belonging to the minority Tamils, police said.
A curfew has been imposed.
A curfew has been imposed.
A local hotel manager, Mr Shamim, told the BBC News website that the city was full of policemen and soldiers who are enforcing the curfew.
A local hotel manager, Mr Shamim, told the BBC News website that the city was full of policemen and soldiers who are enforcing the curfew.
"Our guests have not stepped out today. It is all very quiet outside. We hope the situation will improve later in the day," he said.
"Our guests have not stepped out today. It is all very quiet outside. We hope the situation will improve later in the day," he said.
Major Upali Rajapakse, a senior media coordinator with the Sri lanka government in Colombo, downplayed reports of trouble: "There was a minor incident when some rowdies wanted to set fire to a shop. We have controlled the situation. There are no riots".
Major Upali Rajapakse, a senior media coordinator with the Sri lanka government in Colombo, downplayed reports of trouble: "There was a minor incident when some rowdies wanted to set fire to a shop. We have controlled the situation. There are no riots".
The head of the police in Galle has denied reports that his officers opened fire to prevent rioting.
The Tamil Tigers have made no comment on the latest incident.
The Tamil Tigers have made no comment on the latest incident.
Galle, which is some 100km (70 miles) south of the capital, Colombo, is a popular destination for tourists. It also suffered badly during the Asian tsunami.
Galle, which is some 100km (70 miles) south of the capital, Colombo, is a popular destination for tourists. It also suffered badly during the Asian tsunami.
The BBC's Dumeetha Luthra in Colombo says the latest attack is a worrying development for the country's tourist industry, as such areas had been largely free of violence.
The BBC's Dumeetha Luthra in Colombo says the latest attack is a worrying development for the country's tourist industry, as such areas had been largely free of violence.
Bus blast
Bus blast
At least 2,000 people have been killed in violence this year in Sri Lanka, the military and ceasefire monitors say.
At least 2,000 people have been killed in violence this year in Sri Lanka, the military and ceasefire monitors say.
Monday's bombing resulted in more fatalities than any other suicide attack in Sri Lanka's long and bloody civil conflict.
Monday's bombing resulted in more fatalities than any other suicide attack in Sri Lanka's long and bloody civil conflict.
A military bus convoy was attacked near the town of Habarana, 190km (120 miles) north-east of the capital Colombo.
A military bus convoy was attacked near the town of Habarana, 190km (120 miles) north-east of the capital Colombo.
The rebels did not confirm or deny carrying out the attack but said it was justified.
The rebels did not confirm or deny carrying out the attack but said it was justified.
Both the government and Tamil Tigers say they will attend peace talks in Geneva next week, although few expect a breakthrough.
Both the government and Tamil Tigers say they will attend peace talks in Geneva next week, although few expect a breakthrough.
Before a ceasefire was agreed in 2002, more than 60,000 people were killed in two decades of civil war.
Before a ceasefire was agreed in 2002, more than 60,000 people were killed in two decades of civil war.
The Tamil Tigers are fighting for an independent homeland in the north and east of the country, and claim that ethnic Tamils have suffered decades of discrimination at the hands of Sri Lanka's Sinhalese majority.
The Tamil Tigers are fighting for an independent homeland in the north and east of the country, and claim that ethnic Tamils have suffered decades of discrimination at the hands of Sri Lanka's Sinhalese majority.
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