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.