Several killed, missing in naval clash

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 September 2001, 16:07 GMT]
At least 47 Sri Lanka army soldiers aboard the troop carrier vessel bound for Jaffna were wounded and 18 sailors were reported missing in the mid sea battle early morning Sunday off the coast of Pt Pedro Sunday. A Sri Lanka Navy attack craft that was guarding the ship carrying more than 1200 SLA troops was very badly damaged; and at least 13 sailors were killed in the fighting sources said.

The troop carrier ship was escorted to the Kankesanthurai (KKS) port Sunday evening by SLN attack craft.

The Pt. Pedro and KKS harbours have been put on maximum security alert following the attack, SLA sources in Jaffna said.