COLOMBO: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels rammed an explosive-laden boat against a cargo ship with two Indian in its crew, off the island's northern waters, triggering a major sea battle with the Sri Lankan navy.
Military officials said a boat packed with explosives rammed the City of Liverpool cargo carrier off Point Pedro as it was leaving the Jaffna peninsula after unloading wheat flour.
"A cluster of Tiger boats attacked the ship while another cluster engaged the navy gunboats," Navy spokesman DKP Dassanayake said.
He said the air force was called and said the merchant vessel also had several security personnel who were returning rebel fire.
The ship had a crew of two Indians, seven Indonesians and 10 Sri Lankans. Their fate was not immediately known.
The attack came two days after the military said it captured the final bastion of the Tamil Tigers in the east of the island and drove off the rebels from the regions after weeks of fighting that killed at least 45 soldiers and over 370 rebels.
