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LTTE’s arms-carrying ship sunk: Colombo

COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka Navy on Sunday claimed to have destroyed another LTTE arms-carrying ship in the high seas 1,700 km off Dondra Head, the southern extremity of the island nation. There was no comment from the Tigers on the navy’s claim.

According to the navy, the LTTE vessel identified as m.v. Matshusima, was intercepted and destroyed by naval task units after a hot pursuit. The 70-metre-long vessel had a displacement of 3,000 tonnes, a statement by the navy said.

It claimed that there were 12 to 15 LTTE cadres on board the vessel. This is the eighth vessel of the LTTE’s arms smuggling fleet destroyed in recent months.

According to government estimates, the naval wing of the LTTE has 10 ships and the forces believe that with today’s strike, the Sea Tigers stand virtually crippled.

The navy said the latest vessel was believed to be transferring long-range artillery rounds, high-speed water scooters, sophisticated diving apparatus, outboard motors, radar and global positioning equipment, high power transmission equipment and communications interception equipment for the terror outfit.

“After one and half day’s surveillance of the vessel, the naval task unit approached it around 5.30 this morning. The navy gun-ships had rounded up the suspicious vessel which had no ensign or name on it and ordered it to identify itself, using international challenging procedures. Instead of providing the information, the ship had opened fire towards the navy ships, compelling retaliation, causing the ship to be destroyed around 9.30a.m,” it said.

Last month, the navy had claimed to have destroyed three other arms-carrying vessels of the LTTE in the international waters off Sri Lanka’s south. “The navy has been able to destroy seven arms-carrying LTTE ships, causing considerable damage to the LTTE’s arms smuggling activities.”

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