Sri Lanka: clashes between navy and Tamil Tigers, 24 victims

This morning at dawn, rebels attacked various navy ships.  Battle follows bus attack, which claimed the life of 64 civilians, and subsequent military bombing of suspected Tamil Tiger positions.

Colombo (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Violence continues to spiral in Sri Lanka: at least 24 people, 4 sailors and 20 rebels, were killed this morning in the naval battle between Tamil Tiger separatist rebels and the Navy.  The battle began at dawn today off the country's north-western coast.

According to a statement by Defence Ministry spokesman Prasad Samarsinghe, a small fleet of 11 Tamil Tiger boats attacked the navy off the coast of Mannar, destroying 3 navy boats.  Military helicopters arrived to defend the other boats.  By the end of the battle, the military had managed to sink 8 rebels vessels.

This battles took place two days after the attack, last Thursday, which killed 64 people and the subsequent airforce bombing of suspected Tamil Tiger positions.  The government in fact blaims the Tamil Tigers for the attack against the bus: the rebels however deny any involvement.

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