4TH LEAD

Shells hit Trinco navy base, 14 killed, Dvora destroyed

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 01 August 2006, 09:44 GMT]
Artillery shells began hitting the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Trincomalee Naval base as a ship transporting more than 800 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers approached the naval base around 2:25 p.m. Tuesday. More than 36 shells have hit the naval base. At least 6 naval personnel were killed when the shells hit navy college inside the Naval complex. Five sea-borne LTTE vessels destroyed a Dvora boat killing eight SLN troops, naval sources said. The Trincomalee naval headquarters has sustained heavy damage.

The ship which came under attack was taken to international waters, SLN sources in Colombo said.

At least 30 personnel were wounded, according to initial reports. Six injured were admitted at the Trincomalee hospital.

Heavy fighting ensued at the sea while the naval headquarters was being attacked.

The SLN personnel, moved out of the Trincomalee naval camp, as the artillery attack intensified.

An unused gunboat was destroyed inside the harbour, according to SLN sources in Colombo.

Israeli-made Kfir jets have started bombing Sampoor area, according to sources in Trincomalee.

Around 3:00 p.m a SLAF helicopter landed inside the Naval Headquarters located along Trincomalee harbour and left immediately.

Shops and government offices were closed. Roads in the east port town were deserted.

SLA and SLN troopers were seen checking every one within the perimeter of Trincomalee town.

High tension prevailed in Trincomalee town as situation in the Trincomalee naval camp and the port was in chaos with continued fighting expected.

Sri Lanka Navy, Plantain Point SLA camp and Monkey Bridge SLA camp are also firing artillery towards LTTE held Muttur east, residents there said.