Navy destroys Six Tiger boats

Foils attempt to break naval defences:

Rafik JALALDEEN

Naval troops patrolling the North Eastern seas yesterday foiled a desperate LTTE attempt to breach its first defence line killing 28 Sea Tigers including three female Sea Tiger leaders and destroying six Tiger boats in the sea off Mullaitivu, Navy Spokesman Captain D.K.P. Dassanayake told the Daily News yesterday. The Navy Special Boat Squadron confronted with six Tiger boats including four suicide craft launched from Vellamullivaikkal in the southern part of the No Fire Zone for hours from 4.30 am yesterday.

Intercepted LTTE radio communication have confirmed that 28 Tiger cadres were killed during this confrontation and female Sea Tiger leaders Manparithi, Ariyu and Manmadhi were among the killed. The Navy Spokesman said the LTTE facing heavy defeat in the ground was making desperate attempts to flee the area from the sea, but Navy has already secured all sea routes to thwart any such attempts.

Brigadier Nanayak- kara said troops are continuing their mission of rescuing the remaining civilians after capturing the 700 metre long and 10 feet high ditch cum earth bund in Rettavaikkal. “The LTTE had made seven suicide attempts to recapture the earth bund using three human bombs, one explosive laden truck, three motorbikes and a double cab during 24 hours ending Wednesday morning,” the Brigadier added.

“Our troops also suffered casualties but managed to foil those suicide attempts,” he added.

The Brigadier said Security Force so far have been able to rescue 113,270 civilians after launching the humanitarian operation on April 20 bringing the total number of civilians rescued by the troops to 185,831. “These civilians are sheltered in 30 welfare centres in Mannar, Vavuniya and Pulmudai and 11 welfare centres in Jaffna,” he added.