COLOMBO, FEB 14: The Navy today destroyed two Tamil rebel boats and damaged four more in two separate encounters off Sri Lanka's eastern coast, killing at least 10 militants, officials said.Naval patrol craft engaged three boats of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the early hours of the day while they were proceeding northwards from Vakarai to Pulmoddai, military officials said. They said one of the boats was sunk, while the other two were damaged but managed to escape. Shortly afterwards, three other rebel boats proceeding towards Vakarai were confronted by Naval Patrol Craft. One of these was destroyed, while the rest were damaged in the attack.
The sea battle came as Deputy Defence Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte claimed that the LTTE had been driven out of the northern Killinochchi town.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
