A prominent Tamil politician was assassinated in the Sri Lankan capital today and naval attack on two Tamil Tiger boats left six rebels dead, officials said - acts appearing to draw the South Asian country closer to full-scale war.

Sri Lanka’s navy sank 11 Tamil Tiger rebel ships loaded with troops and weapons early today during a five-hour sea battle off the country’s east coast, killing about 70 separatists.

SRI LANKAN forces yesterday launched a new air and ground offensive to wrest a key reservoir from Tamil rebels who have cut off water to 60,000 villagers, while the rebels claimed to have sunk a navy warship.

A Tamil Tiger rebel suicide boat exploded today after Sri Lankan navy troops fired at it fearing attack by the insurgents.