Citation

Athas I. Jane's def. wkly. 2006; (SEP.).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Jane's Information Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The recent battle between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has caused significant setback to secessionist rebels of its ground and naval forces. Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe claimed that Sri Lankan military has repulsed a rebel logistics that was transiting men and materials from Pulmoddai (located ahead of the strategic northeastern port city of Trincomalee) to Vakarai, killing 60 rebel cadres and eleven boats were destroyed. LTTE spokesman Rasiah IIantheriyan dismissed government's claim and replied that 25-strong flotilla of their sea-going arm was involved in heavy fighting but completed its mission. Intelligence sources estimate suggest that Sea Tigers strength is around 2000 personnel with 100-200 suicide cadres in the Black Sea, and it has the capability to engage in long term fight with Sri Lankan Navy at sea with considerable firepower.