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Navy Fast Attack Craft yesterday intercepted three LTTE vessels with 40 personnel on board in the sea off Trincomalee and released them after consulting the defence authorities in Colombo and Trincomalee. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission discussed this incident with both parties and is expected to give its ruling soon.

In this incident, Naval troops had observed three LTTE boats proceeding southwards in the seas off Trincomalee yesterday morning. Afterwards, the Navy dispatched several Fast Attack Craft (FAC) from Trincomalee as reinforcements, in addition to the Navy fleet already at sea.

Naval Attack Craft had observed that these boats had about 40 personnel on board. In accordance with the rules of engagement and the procedure of ordering halt of such vessels, the three LTTE boats were made to halt in the sea about eight nautical miles south of Trincomalee and were subsequently detained around 10.30 in the morning.

Trincomalee based Naval officers had kept the Commander of the Navy as well as the Secretary to Ministry of Defence informed and constant follow-up instructions were also received upon the halting of the LTTE boats at mid-sea.

Accordingly, LTTE members aboard the vessels were permitted to disembark and Black Sea Tiger leader Dikkam had discussed the incident with Navy personnel. These LTTE vessels were equipped with weapons.

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