Aid officials in Sri Lanka say Tamil Tiger rebels have released nine people held captive for up to five years.

The captives, including three Sinhala crew members of a hijacked merchant vessel, were handed over to Red Cross representatives at Mullaitivu in the north-east on Saturday.

It's thought that the rebels have not previously freed Sinhala crew members, and the releases may indicate a shift in policy.

The others released were government soldiers.

Rebel radio said the releases were a gesture of goodwill.