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Sea battle erupts off Sri Lanka's northern coast
Sri Lankan officials say navy gun boats are locked in a heavy exchange of fire with Tamil rebel boats off the country's northern coast, despite a truce by both sides.
A defence ministry spokesman says the the sea battle erupted off the coast of Chalai when the navy detected a flotilla of boats of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Initial reports indicated that five sailors were wounded in the attack, and two naval boats damaged.
Military sources say seven rebel boats were involved in the attack, with two hit by the navy.
The clash came despite the two sides observing separate ceasefires.
Security forces are observing a three-day truce to mark the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year, and the Tamil Tigers have been observing their own cease-fire since Christmas Eve and extending it on a monthly basis.
16/04/01 13:20:54 | ABC Radio Australia News
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