December 27, 2007	Thursday	Zilhaj 16, 1428

COLOMBO, Dec 26: At least 40 Tamil Tiger rebels were killed during a heavy sea battle that erupted off Sri Lanka’s northern coast of Jaffna, the navy said Wednesday.

The navy claimed it destroyed six rebel boats, including two suicide craft, while “40 terrorists” were killed in the sea battle.

Navy spokesman D.K.P. Dassanayake said one naval craft was damaged but did not give casualty figures of naval personnel.

However, the rebels claimed to have sunk a navy fast attack craft during the sea battle, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.com web site reported.

Two naval vessels were also damaged in the attack which began around noon on Wednesday, the website said.—AFP