Sri Lankan navy attacked by rebel Tigers

COLOMBO, May 1: Sri Lanka's navy said it came under attack from the Tamil Tiger rebels early today and five sailors were wounded in an exchange of fire off the northeastern coast.

''They have opened fire and attacked our Dvora,'' said navy spokesman D K P Dassanayake, referring to a type of fast-attack craft. ''We retaliated in self-defence,'' he added.

Four civilians were also killed in a suspected rebel claymore fragmentation mine attack on a naval foot patrol near Trincomalee town, the army said. Four civilians and four sailors were also wounded.

REUTERS