Sri Lanka navy kills six rebels in new sea battle

The Sri Lankan navy destroyed two Tamil Tiger boats yesterday off an island in the country's restive north, killing six rebels, a naval spokesman said, the second military engagement at sea in less than 24 hours.

Last Friday, the navy destroyed seven Tamil Tiger craft in a major sea battle, killing at least 35 rebels off the northern Jaffna peninsula.

The latest clash took place near the government-controlled Kytes island off the Tamil-dominated peninsula after navy patrol boats spotted rebel craft approaching the island.

Sri Lanka has seen a surge in violence in the past few months, raising doubts about the success of peace talks between the government and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) in Geneva yesterday and today.

Friday's clash saw rebels and government forces fight for hours off the coast of the Jaffna peninsula. Two sailors were wounded in the fight.

Pro-rebel Website www.tamilnet.com said the LTTE denied suffering casualties and that rebel boats had damaged two navy attack boats. It said the rebels were attacked first by the navy.

Rebel leaders, who are fighting for an independent homeland for the ethnic Tamil minority in the north and east, were not available for comment.

Last Wednesday, the rebels launched a sea-borne suicide raid on a naval base in the southern city of Galle, losing 15 fighters and killing one sailor.

President Rajapakse used the Hindu festival of Deepavali - which signifies victory of good over evil, which was celebrated yesterday - to appeal for peace, ahead of the talks.

"Celebrating Deepavali, let us resolve to enhance our endeavours to bring lasting peace to our land so that people of all communities and faiths could live in happiness and dignity," Rajapakse said in a statement.

Most Tamils, who make up 18 per cent of the population of largely Buddhist Sri Lanka's population, are Hindus.

"Today our society is plagued by violence and hatred between communities, and tolerance so characteristic of Hinduism and other great religions has given way to animosity and conflict," the president said.

Foreign powers have also urged both sides to stand down. Since July violence has soared and about 1,000 people have died, including many soldiers. A 2002 truce now exists on paper.

More than 65,000 people have been killed in the two-decade conflict, fuelled by complaints of discrimination by the state and sections of Sinhalese majority from members of the Tamil minority.

Sri Lankan media said the recent violence should not sway either side from pushing for successful talks in Geneva.