LTTE boats launched from Vedithalthievu flee when SLN approach

(October, 18, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka Guardian) The pre-dawn clandestine movement of LTTE sea tiger cadres on boats in Mannar to move further towards Pesalai during prohibited time and restricted zone was prevented by the naval patrol craft today, (18th October) around 4.30 am, a top level SLN intelligence source said.

“The naval units deployed in the Mannar area had received credible information about the impending movement. The naval patrol craft, in-shore patrol craft, operating in the Gulf of Mannar had initially detected the movement of a cluster of boats consisting of two to three, by the display on the radar screens,” he told the Sri Lanka Guardian.

According to source, “then the naval units approached to investigate as it had been prohibited to manoeuvre boats during those hours in the restricted area. However in defiance of the naval lawful duty, the sea tiger cadres fired at the naval units.”

“Thereafter, the naval patrol craft retaliated that forced the sea tiger cadres on board those craft flee of towards Vedithalthievu amidst naval fire. This was the very same area where the navy attacked an LTTE craft transporting remote controlled Air craft and many other war-like materials on the last 11th and this area is very frequently used by LTTE sea tiger cadres as a sea route for their clandestine transportations.”

Subsequently, in the search operation carried out, a two outboard motors fitted boat was found where there were four (04) unidentified dead bodies and three survivors. One of the survivors had received only minor injuries whose condition is said to be stable and nothing serious.

Suddenly the injured were brought to the Mannar hospital and medical care and attention was given.

Police investigations are in progress.