SLN, Sea Tigers battle at Point Pedro seas

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 June 2007, 21:20 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in Colombo said Tuesday that its soldiers attacked more than 20 Sea Tiger vessels on the seas between SLN controlled area between Point Pedro Munai in Vadamaraadchci and Vettilaikea'ni, Kaddaikkaadu area held by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Fishermen living along the Vadamaraadchci coast, however, said that more than 20 Sea Tiger vessels Tuesday night stayed on during the night on the seas of SLN controlled Point Pedro Munai as SLN boats sought safety at SLN KKS base.

The Sea Tigers were engaged in sea patrol in the seas between Vettilaikea'ni and Paruththikkaadu, when SLN vessels tried to enter the LTTE controlled seas, and drew heavy fire from the Sea Tigers.

Meanwhile, SLN coast guards in Vadamaraadchchi directed all residents on the coast not to venture out.

SLN did not permit fishermen from Point Pedro Munai, Kattkoava'lam and Vallipuram areas to go fishing in their seas.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) from its artillery bases in Va'ra'ni and Pallappai launched heavy MBRL fire towards Point Pedro Munai where the Tiger Vessels were present for a long time, coastal residents said.

The shells exploded falling on the seas along Vadmaraadchchi in area held by LTTE from 5:00 p.m to 9:30 p.m.