LTTE makes abortive strike on Naval craft

Ranil Wijayapala and Rafik Jalaldeen

TRINCOMALEE: A naval passenger craft disgorging unarmed security forces men returning for duty after leave, came under a fierce LTTE attack in Trincomalee at around 2.20 p.m yesterday.

The passenger ship 'Jet Liner' was ferrying around 854 security personnel when it came under artillery and motar attacks by the LTTE cadres. Meanwhile, five personnel were killed and thirty injured when the Trincomalee Navy base came under LTTE mortar fire. The LTTE is reported to have suffered over 30 casualties.

The naval craft was voyaging from Kankesanthurai to Trincomalee harbour carrying unarmed security forces personnel who were returning after leave when the terrorists launched the attack, a spokesman from Media Centre for National Security said.

The LTTE terrorists failed in their attempt to destroy the naval passenger craft with unarmed security forces personnel on board. The craft subsequently berthed safely at the Trincomalee port, MCNS spokesman said.