Two Dvoras sunk, two damaged in clash

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 September 2001, 19:53 GMT]
Two Dvora gunboats of the Sri Lanka Navy were sunk and another two heavily damaged in day long fighting off the seas of Point Pedro, official LTTE sources told TamilNet Sunday. The Dvoras were protecting a Sri Lankan troop ship which was also damaged in the attack, the sources said. Ten Sea Tigers, including four Black Tigers were killed along with at least fifteen Sri Lankan sailors, the sources said.

Heavy fighting raged from 4.30 am till late afternoon after Sea Tiger boats engaged Sri Lankan gunboats escorting the troop convoy going from Trincomalee to KKS in Jaffna, the sources said.

Meanwhile the Voice of Tigers said in its morning news broadcast Monday that the troop carrier was damaged and a Dvora Fast Attack Craft (FAC) was sunk around 5.30 a.m. It said that more than 15 SLN Dvora FACs joined the battle from Trincomalee and KKS by late morning.

Another Dvora was hit by naval artillery fire by the Sea Tigers and sank around noon 12.45, according to the VOT. Six Dvora Fast Attack Craft which took part in the fierce battle about 30 miles off the Pt. Pedro coast of Jaffna also took hits and sustained damages, it said.

Deputy Commander of the LTTE's Naval wing Lt. Col. Irumborai Master was among those killed in the fighting, the radio added.