Sri Lankan Navy destroys 3 floating warehouses of weapons of LTTE.

Sri Lankan Navy destroys 3 floating warehouses of weapons of LTTE.

Tuesday, 11 September 2007 No Damage to Sri Lankan Navy Vessels

Beginning 8 a.m yesterday (10) to 8. a.m today (11) Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) observed, analyzed and gave chase to three naval Vessels of the LTTE carrying arms and artillery, small aircrafts, and a bullet proof vehicle supposed to be for LTTE leader, in the deep South East sea.
The three vessels did not move in a convoy but intermittently in the last 24 hours. Sri Lankan Navy had information of transport of arms and weapons over the last one and half years but they were able to identify the vessels for sure yesterday.
Adhering to the International exclusive economic zone and International rules of engagement, SLN found that none of the ships carried a flag or a registration number or a port of registration on the front or rear of the vessel.
When they were contacted, there was no response either. Therefore the Navy identified these as rogue ships.
The first ship was spotted in the early hours of the morning. The Navy having no reply from the floating vessel fired across the brouse at about 8 a.m. Then in spite of the warning, the vessel continued to move in to the deep sea and aimed shots at the SLN. In self defence SLN had to shoot back and the first ship was destroyed.
The ship was about 1000 km away from our shores. SLN analysis and information seemed to be correct when they spotted a second ship moving in the same direction around 5 p.m. In trying to challenge the identity of the second ship, SLN received no response once again and was compelled to fire across the brouse and later in self defence attacked destroying the ship and its weapons.
Hours later around 10 p.m SLN observed a third ship trying to speed and get away in the same direction. SLN vessels followed and compelled to fire back as mortars were fired by the terrorist ships at the SLN vessels. After long exchange of fire the third ship itself was destroyed sinking it in the deep sea.
Everything was concluded according to prevailing international law emphasised the Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda.
The Navy Spokesman Commander D.K.P Dassanayake further added that Sri Lankan navy had to move toward Indonesia to destroy these floating warehouses, which would otherwise have been a big security threat to Sri Lanka.
SLN intelligence and prompt action averted a great disaster to be. This was one of the greatest victories for Sri Lanka and the SLN. By now SLN has destroyed 9 out of 10 enemy vessels carrying artillery and weapons to the LTTE.
LTTE’s naval strength and arms and ammunition have been reduced to a sizeable amount by this Naval victory.