Navy destroys LTTE weapons ship

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: The Navy foiled an LTTE attempt to smuggle over 10,000 tons of arms and explosives into the country when it intercepted a vessel in the seas 185 Nautical Miles off Dondra Point in Matara early yesterday. The 75 metre long vessel was destroyed by the Navy.

At the National Security media briefing yesterday, Navy spokesman Commander D.M.K. Dassanayake described the detection as a major victory in their fight against terrorism.

In the recent past the Navy has destroyed nine LTTE trawlers, six boats and a ship smuggling deadly arms and weapons.

Commander Dassanayake said the Navy patrol observed a vessel sailing in the deep seas around 185 nautical miles off Dondra point without a flag. The Navy personnel contacted the vessel through communication channel 16 but there was no response from the vessel.

“Thereafter, Navy personnel contacted the Navy Headquarters to check the International Shipping Registry but this vessel wasn’t registered. It was confirmed this was an illegal ship which had strayed into Sri Lankan waters.”

He said Navy personnel warned the vessel to stop for checking or to proceed to the hangar close to the Galle Fort but the vessel suddenly pulled off from the coastal limits and accelerated towards the deep sea.

“The ship completely ignored the warning shots fired by the Navy patrol for the vessel to halt.

Instead shots were fired with small arms from the vessel towards the naval craft. The sailors on board successfully retaliated, demobilising the vessel,” Commander Dassanayaka pointed out.

The attack continued for three hours. “Soon after the attack there were huge explosions coming out of the vessel which was clearly a result of the detonation of the ship’s weapons and ammunition,” he added.

More than 10,000 tons of arms and explosive devices were being smuggled in the vessel. A cache of 120mm, 130mm and 152mm ammunition , SAM shells, outboard motors and optical devices were recovered from the sinking vessel.

Meanwhile, a Navy patrol destroyed two LTTE boats and damaged three others killing 15 LTTE Sea Tigers in a confrontation off Pulmudai on Tuesday night.

According to Commander Dassanayake the Navy patrol observed around 14 LTTE boats launched from Nayaru area moving towards south hugging the coast around 9.30 p.m. The Navy patrol intercepted the movement while the Sea Tigers fired on the Navy fast attack craft.

“The sailors repulsed the attack successfully killing 15 Sea Tigers and boarded the two destroyed LTTE boats. The three damaged boats were towed by other LTTE boats towards Nayaru,” Commander Dassanayake said. Several Sea Tigers were injured in this incident. Two sailors sustained minor injuries, he added.