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| Sri Lanka | |
| Sri Lankan Navy Attacks Rebel Ships | |
| 2006-09-25 | |
| COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - The Sri Lankan navy said Monday it had sunk eight Tamil Tiger rebel ships loaded with troops and weapons during a five-hour sea battle, killing around 70 separatists. The fighting began late Sunday night when the navy spotted 25 rebel ships sailing south. Navy Cmdr. D. K. P. Dassanayake told The Associated Press "more than 70 cadres are dead" and two other ships, believed to have been transporting arms and ammunition, were burning at sea. The remaining rebel boats retreated after the hostilities just off the coast of the eastern town of Pulmoddai, about 140 miles from the capital Colombo, he said. One navy vessel was damaged, injuring five sailors, he said. But it had made it back to port. A spokesman at the Defense Ministry's press office confirmed the attack, but had no additional details. The rebels were not immediately available for comment.
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| Posted by:Steve White |