Sri Lankan battleships and warplanes have intercepted an alleged Tamil Tiger rebel weapons shipment off the island’s restive eastern coast, sinking the ship and killing up to 15 insurgents, military officials said.
The vessel’s crew had refused to identify themselves, but hoisted a rebel flag during an eight-hour sea battle, before being bombed and sunk around 120 nautical miles (220 kilometers) off the eastern coast of Batticaloa district on Sunday, military officials said.
Navy commander D.K.P. Dassanayake said the ship was carrying about 12 to 15 insurgents. He said there were no navy casualties.