The Sri Lankan Navy sank nine vessels carrying Tamil Tiger rebels in the northeastern coast during a sea battle from Sunday night to Monday morning and more than 70 rebels might have been killed in the battle.

The Media Center for National Security said Monday in a statement that the Navy detected about 25 craft of Sea Tigers launching from Alampil/Mullativu area and heading towards the eastern port town of Trincomalee at around 9:45 p.m. (1610 GMT) on Sunday.

Fast attack craft of the Navy later engaged a 5-hour fierce sea battle with the rebels' boat cluster in the seas off Pulmodai, about 50 km north of Trincomalee, said the statement.

Two Sea Tiger craft caught fire and another 9 sank along with the crew, it said.

On completion of the confrontation, only 14 craft were seen fleeing and the withdrawing craft included five badly damaged boats on tow.

"It is believed more than 70 Sea Tigers were killed and many were injured," said the statement.

A fast attack craft of the Navy was slightly damaged during the exchange of fire and five sailors suffered injuries.

The statement said the Sea battle was commanded by the third in command of the Sea Tiger wing "SELIYAN" and his boat was among those which were badly damaged in the confrontation.

"The Tiger higher Sea command was desperate of bringing back the third in command but feared he is seriously injured or killed as he never communicated after the two Sea Tiger craft caught fire initially," said the statement.

The Navy believes that the Tigers were desperate of sending troops and logistics to the eastern coast after suffering defeat during the last few months especially when they lost the hold of Sampur area near Trincomalee.

The sea battle came after a week when the Navy and the Air Force sank a Tiger merchant suspected of bringing war like material off the coast of Kalmunai in the east.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the military have been engaged in some of the worst clashes since the troubled Norwegian backed peace cease-fire came into force in February 2002.

The clashes since late July cost hundreds of lives and displaced over 200,000 people.

Both sides say they want to engage in talks but military confrontations continue.

Source: Xinhua