Suspected Tamil Tiger fighters in boats have attacked a naval base in the southern Sri Lankan tourist city of Galle, the military has said.
Suspected Tamil Tiger fighters in boats have attacked a naval base in the southern Sri Lankan tourist city of Galle, the military has said.
The suspected rebels posed as fishermen and at least two people had been killed, security sources said.
The suspected rebels posed as fishermen and at least two people had been killed, security sources said.
The Dakshina naval facility is 100km (70 miles) south of Colombo in an area that has not suffered such attacks.
The Dakshina naval facility is 100km (70 miles) south of Colombo in an area that has not suffered such attacks.
The incident comes two days after the country's worst suicide bombing, which killed almost 100 people.
The incident comes two days after the country's worst suicide bombing, which killed almost 100 people.
Gunboats
Gunboats
The suspected rebels entered Galle harbour in about five boats on Tuesday, police and the military said.
The suspected rebels entered Galle harbour in about five boats on Tuesday, police and the military said.
One was destroyed and two others exploded, damaging some naval equipment.
One was destroyed and two others exploded, damaging some naval equipment.
Fighting went on for about an hour, indicating that other boats successfully landed some suspected rebels.
Fighting went on for about an hour, indicating that other boats successfully landed some suspected rebels.
Galle suffered badly during the Asian tsunami of 2004
Galle suffered badly during the Asian tsunami of 2004
An indefinite curfew had been imposed in Galle, said Media Minister Anura Yapa.
An indefinite curfew had been imposed in Galle, said Media Minister Anura Yapa.
Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told AFP news agency: "We have no reports of any commercial shopping areas being attacked.
Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told AFP news agency: "We have no reports of any commercial shopping areas being attacked.
"Obviously they have come to Galle on a suicide mission."
"Obviously they have come to Galle on a suicide mission."
He said gunboats had been sent to the port to counter the attack.
He said gunboats had been sent to the port to counter the attack.
Police using loudspeakers have urged people to leave their homes.
Police using loudspeakers have urged people to leave their homes.
Galle is a popular destination for tourists. It also suffered badly during the Asian tsunami.
Galle 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.
The Tamil Tigers have made no comment on the latest incident.
The Tamil Tigers have made no comment on the latest incident.
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 sealed in 2002, more than 60,000 people were killed in two decades of civil war.
Before a ceasefire was sealed 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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