By SPA,
Colombo : Sri Lanka’s military sank four Tamil Tiger rebel boats Thursday off the island’s northern coast after a battle that killed eight rebels and one soldier, while six civilians were killed in a rebel artillery attack, the military said, according to AP.
A military official said the rebel boats were sunk when troops fired artillery at them as they attempted to attack army and naval positions in Sirutheevu off northern Jaffna.
The remaining boats fled.
The battle left eight rebels and one soldier dead and two soldiers wounded, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity citing government rules. He said one soldier and two sailors were missing.
Also Thursday, air force helicopters and jets bombed a rebel gathering point in northern Mannar district and two camps in Mullaitivu district, the official said.
He said the raids were successful but did not give details of casualties or damage.
Meanwhile, six civilians were killed Thursday in rebel artillery fire in Pashaiyur, Columbuthurai and Gurunagar villages on the Jaffna peninsula, the official said.
Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not immediately be reached for comment.
However, a pro-rebel Web site reported that the guerrillas raided a navy camp Thursday in Sirutheevu islet, killing 13 sailors and seizing weapons.
Tamilnet.com said the rebels did not suffer casualties.
The site also reported two civilian deaths due to artillery fire in Jaffna, but did not say who fired the shells.
The military said 20 insurgents and one soldier were killed in fighting Wednesday in Jaffna and Welioya.
It was not possible to obtain independent confirmation of the reported fighting. Both sides often release contradictory versions of attacks that take place in the embattled north, where access is restricted.