LTTE attack merchant ships carrying essential supplies to civilians

(October 22, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Members of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have carried out a suicide attack targeting Merchant Ship Ruhuna and Nimalawa, in the north sea of Sri Lanka at 5.10, this morning (Oct 22), defence sources said. "The attack is viewed as another cowardly attempt by the terrorists to deny essential suppliers to the civilians living in war affected areas, " the Ministry of Defence reports.

Meanwhile, Navy spokesperson, Commander DKP Dassanayke told Sri Lanka Guardian that 3 LTTE suicide boats have come for the attack. Navy sailors providing security onboard the targeted vessels have engaged machine gun fire at the approaching suicide boats effectively, and destroyed two of them before ramming on the ships, he said. However, he added that one of the suicide boat have exploded in close proximity to Merchant Ship Nimalawa causing a considerable damage to the ship's hull.

He further said that the third suicide craft has been captured by navy boats. The LTTE suicide cadre who was operating the boat believed to be killed in the Navy retaliation, he added. - Sri Lanka Guardian