40 Sea Tigers perish in clash
Ranil Wijayapala
POINT PEDRO: The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday confirmed that more than 40
Sea Tiger cadres were killed and another 40 cadres injured as the Navy
destroyed six Tiger boats in the battle that continued for more than
five hours in the sea off Point Pedro on Tuesday.
Navy Spokesman Commander D.K.P. Dassanayaka said Naval troops
captured one of the destroyed Tiger armed craft fitted with 14.5 mm twin
barrel gun. It was taken to the Kankesanthurai harbour yesterday
evening.
The bodies of four senior Tiger cadres were found within the 50 feet
long boat with four 250 HP outboard motors, GPS, radar and MPMG guns.
“More than 100 Sea Tiger cadres in a flotilla of 24 boats
participated in the sea battle that erupted six nautical miles north-
east of Point Pedro,” Commander Dassanayaka added.
The Sea Tiger cadres launched their boats from Kadaikadu, north of
Mullaitivu aiming to launch a massive attack on the Dvora Fast Attack
Craft patrolling off Point Pedro.
Naval attack craft engaged the flotilla of Tiger boats destroying one
of the Tiger craft fitted with 14.5 mm twin barrel guns compelling the
Tigers to beach their damaged boats in Thalaiadi.
In a subsequent attack, the Navy assisted by the Army and the Air
Force was able to completely destroy five other boats and damage another
nine boats compelling the Tiger cadres to withdraw their boats.
“Intercepted radio transmissions of the Sea Tigers confirmed that
more than 40 cadres were killed during this attack,” Commander
Dassanayaka said.
The Navy Spokesman said they received information that more than 10
Sea Tiger bodies had washed ashore at Thalaiadi beach yesterday morning.
“No casualties were reported among Naval troops during this battle.
Naval craft did not suffer any damage,” he said.
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