LTTE sea tigers attacked at Commercial vessel- Point Padro

Ministry of Defence,

Two clusters of LTTE Sea tiger boats launching from Vettalakerni area attacked a Commercial Vessel which carries foodstuffs for the civilians in the Jaffna peninsula this evening, Sunday the 21st of January.

The commercial vessel, "City of Liverpool", was sailing back after unloading the food items at Point Pedro harbour when the LTTE sea tigers targeted it at 3.45 p.m today.

Navy sources said that 15-20 LTTE boats which were moving from Vettalakerni to Point Pedro, were detected by the Naval troops. When 5-6 sea tiger boats began to pursue the vessel, the crew of the ship fired at the sea tiger boats. One of the boats was completely destroyed due to the fire opened by the crew.

However, The hull of the ship had been damaged slightly in the blast of the suicide boat.

Sri Lanka Navy destroyed two LTTE suicide boats completely when they were moving towards the vessel.

Meanwhile, Army launched artillery attack targeting the LTTE boats and Air Force fighter jets also attacked at them to assist the Navy.

Three sailors received injuries due to the confrontation and it is reported that the Navy has evacuated the crew safely from the ship.