The Sri Lankan Ministry of defence has released these pictures of a joint operation by the Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force which destroyed and sunk a large vessel carrying weapons and ammunition allegedly for the LTTE on Sunday morning.
The vessel was sailing in the deep seas around one hundred nautical miles off Kalmunai with out any flag. Huge quantities of weapons and ammunition including artillery guns are reported to had been sunk with the vessel.
A Sri Lankan navy official told this writer that ship had ignored the warning shots fired by the Navy patrol craft and had instead opened fire towards a navy craft. Subsequently the navy with the assistance of the Air Force destroyed and sunk the suspected vessel.
"It is now confirmed that the vessel had illegally carried weapons and ammunition for the LTTE. The LTTE's continuous attempts to acquire weapons and ammunition during the past failed due to measures taken by foreign countries. This incident is a clear indication that the LTTE has not stopped their attempts in procuring arms and ammunition to further their terrorist activities.
This incident clearly indicates the motives of some organizations that are seeking to protect the LTTE following their humiliating defeats in the Northern and the Eastern regions. This is yet another attempt of the LTTE at hoodwinking the International Community. The LTTE has opted for peace talks every time when they were weakened by the Security Forces. This is a clear instance that proves that the LTTE is buying time to procure arms and strengthen themselves." an official release read.
The Sri Lankan navy claims upto 15 rebel fighters were killed in the incident.
The incident comes close on the heels of significant military defeats for the rebels in the east and just days after international donors urged both sides to resume the stalled peace talks.
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