Sri Lanka navy sinks Tiger boats

Defence officials in Sri Lanka say at least ten Tamil Tiger guerrillas have been killed after navy gunboats attacked a rebel cargo convoy off the northern Jaffna peninsula.

A defence ministry spokesman, Sanath Karunaratne, said two boats belonging to Tamil Tiger rebels had exploded when the navy opened fire as the convoy was spotted some fifty kilometres north-east of the island's northernmost point, known as Point Pedro.

Mr Karunaratne said a naval ship had also suffered minor damage.

There's been no word from the rebels.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service