Clash in Trincomalee sea

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 October 2000, 16:04 GMT]
Clashes were reported between the Liberation Tigers and Sri Lanka Navy Sunday evening in the seas of Navalady in Mutur south of Trincomalee, security sources said. Fighting erupted around 5.30 p.m. and went on for nearly two hours.

Sri Lanka Navy gunboats retaliated by firing towards coastal hamlets of Navalady and Iralkuli. Local residents said that at least 20 fishing boats were damaged in the naval attack.

No civilian casualties have been reported as they had moved to safer areas. Two cattle were killed and a bullock cart was damaged, villagers said.