Sri Lankan navy destroys Tamil suicide boat

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

There were no known casualties on the navy’s side, but the boat sank, said navy spokesman Commander DKP Dassanayake.

The incident took place on the country’s west coast.

“When our naval crafts were patrolling in the sea two suspicious boats approached. Another two joined them shortly and started firing at navy boats,” he said.

The navy fired back and one of the boats exploded, Dassanayake said. There was no independent confirmation of the incident.

The area where the incident took place was Kalpitiya, a fishing area 90 miles north-west of the capital, Colombo.

The incident happened a day after 10 people, including seven alleged Tamil Tiger rebels, were killed in fighting that has continued at levels not seen since the Sri Lankan government and rebels signed a truce four years ago.