LTTE dismisses Lankan navy's casualty claim

Colombo, Sept 25 (UNI) Dismissing the Sri Lankan Navy's claims that it had killed over 70 Sea Tigers in a major mid-sea battle, the Tamil Tiger rebels today evening said that they have lost only three cadres during the clash off the eastern coast.

LTTE's military spokesman, Rasaiah Ilanthiraiyan said the confrontation with the Sri Lankan naval patrol boats erupted yesterday when they intercepted the Sea Tiger patrol boats off Pulmoddai.

"We have lost only three Sea Tiger cadres in the pre-dawn battle which lasted for over five hours with reinforcement from both sides being rushed to the area from the eastern and northern naval commands," Mr Ilanthiraiyan informed.

"We have not lost any of our boats in the attack as the Navy claims. But managed to damage badly two Naval Dvora Fast Attack Crafts (FACs) and they were towed away by the Navy from the scene," the LTTE spokesman said.

However, he did not have the casualty details of the Navy.

The Sri Lankan Navy had claimed in the morning that it has killed over 70 Sea Tiger cadres in a fierce mid-sea battle, when it confronted a large Sea Tiger flotilla, believed to be carrying LTTE cadres and logistics from the northern Mullaitivu to the eastern Batticaloa district.

According to the Navy, the Fast Attack Crafts (FACs) on special naval operation had detected the cluster of nearly 25 Sea Tiger craft heading from the LTTE-strong hold of Alambil in Mullaitivu southwards to the Eastern naval areas yesterday night.

"During a fierce sea battle which lasted for nearly five hours, 11 LTTE boats were completely destroyed with crew onboard and we believe over 70 Sea Tigers were killed and several more injured," the Navy sources said.

Intercepting the LTTE communications, the Navy claimed that the third in command of the Sea Tiger wing 'Seliyan', who commanded the battle was among those onboard of the craft which was badly damaged. They also claimed that he was have either killed or was seriously injured in the clash.

The LTTE spokesman, however, denied the Navy allegation and said that Seliyan did not go the scene at all, but was commanding operation from an undisclosed location in the shores of Mullaitivu.

It is exactly a week ago that the Navy with the assistance of the Air Force jets destroyed and sank a suspected LTTE Merchant Vessel bringing war like material reportedly from Indonesia off Kalmunai in the eastern seas.

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