Sri Lanka navy sinks Tiger boats

Sea Tigers clash frequently with Sri Lankan navy

At least 10 Tamil Tigers were killed when Sri Lanka navy gunboats attacked a rebel cargo convoy, a military official said.

The pre-dawn battle took place about 50 kilometres (30 miles) off the northern Jaffna peninsula.

Defence ministry spokesman Sanath Karunaratne said another two rebel vessels were also badly damaged.

Mr Karunaratne said a naval ship had also suffered minor damage, but there were no government casualties

There has been no comment from the rebels.

The navy patrol ran into the Tiger convoy off Point Pedro, the island's northernmost point.

It was not immediately clear where the rebel boats had come from.

In other incidents, reports said another five Tiger rebels were killed by government troops in three separate clashes.

The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for an independent homeland in the island's north and east for two decades.

More than 60,000 people have died in the fighting.