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Sri Lanka Navy destroys three LTTE boats

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Navy Fast Attack Craft (FACs) on Wednesday night attacked an LTTE sea movement off Alampil, in the eastern coast of the island and destroyed three Sea Tiger boats, killing at least 12 Tamil Tiger cadres.

A statement by the military said another Tiger boat was damaged in the attack and one navy sailor sustained minor injuries. It said the FACs patrolling in the area detected a flotilla of 10 boats moving suspiciously, around 8.30 p.m. The navy intercepted the boats after night surveillance equipment identified the targets as belonging to the LTTE.

"As the LTTE boats started firing towards the naval vessels, the navy retaliated. The battle lasted for four hours. The remaining LTTE boats have managed to escape moving further towards the coastal waters where the FACs could not navigate safely", the statement said.

Separately, the military said tension prevailed as mortar shells indiscriminately fired by the LTTE fell close to fishermen settlements in the Maligapiddi, Semmanthive and the Giant Tank areas in Mannar district.

"It was reported that a sudden rain of mortar shells from the uncleared area fell in the perimeters of the fisher villages, mounting tension and fear among the folks", it said.

Military claim

The military also said the LTTE continued firing mortars at the Forward Defence Lines (FDLs) at Parapakandal, and Murukan areas in Mannar. It said the LTTE attack was launched to create uncertainty among the civilians and expel them from their traditional settlements.

As per the military, humanitarian aid access to the tensed areas has been difficult due to the continuous LTTE mortar shell fire amidst urgent requests made to the LTTE Vanni leadership to immediately cease the attack at civilian targets.

In a related development, President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday lashed out at critics seeking resignation of his Government following the recent aerial raid by the LTTE on the main air force base in Colombo.

Speaking through a satellite link during the inauguration of a village development project at Mirigama, he said, "Friends, after the air attack at Katunayake there were those who asked us to resign. They placed the blame on us for carrying out a major war. They spoke the same language as Prabhakaran. But, no one should think that if there is a loser in this battle, it will be Mahinda Rajapaksa. The attempt is to defeat the people of this country".

The President said the air attack was an act of terrorism and a threat to the region too. "If anyone thinks that the Government will be shaken by terrorist attacks and will fall on their lap, they are committing a grave error by their own politics. This is not only a battle against terrorism, but also a battle for development".

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