Naval clash kills 4

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 December 1999, 12:50 GMT]
Naval units of the Liberation Tigers attacked a Dvora gun boat of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in the sea off Mullaithivu around 3.30 a.m. this morning. Four SLN personnel including a Sub-Lieutenant were killed and five others wounded, SLN sources said.

A Sea Tiger boat carrying explosives blew up before it crashed into the Dvora gunboat, which was patrolling the high sea off the Mullaithivu coast, the sources said.

Dvora gun-boat was badly damaged, the sources added.

The wounded SLN personnel were taken to Kankesanthurai hospital, the sources added.

Meanwhile Three Special Task Force (STF) commandos, one police man and seven civilians were wounded when a bomb, concealed on a motor bicycle, exploded around 12 noon today in Kalmunai town, residents said.

This incident took place in front of a restaurant close to Kalmunai bus terminal. The wounded have been admitted to Ampara and Batticaloa hospitals, sources said.

The Police blamed the Liberation Tigers for the blast who they said had planted the bomb targeting the STF personnel who regularly come to Kalmunai town on Wednesdays to buy their provisions.