12 rebels killed in Sri Lankan violence

Twelve Tamil rebels and five Sri Lankan sailors were killed today in a clash near a western naval base, a navy spokesman said – the latest violence threatening to cause a four-year ceasefire to completely collapse.

Helicopter gunships helped the navy sink two rebel boats carrying six guerrillas each and repulse the attack after a 45-minute encounter, said navy spokesman D. K. P. Dassanayake.