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Tamil Tigers blast navy for attack on commerce vessel

Tamil Tiger rebels yesterday warned of "grave consequences" after accusing the Sri Lankan navy of sinking one of its merchant vessels manned by a 12-member crew.

The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said the Sri Lankan navy had sunk an "oil tanker" on Saturday in international waters where they had no authority to open fire.

The navy said the Tigers themselves blew up the vessel after it was intercepted during an alleged gun-running operation off the island's northeastern coast.

"If any harm were to befall the (12-member) crew of the LTTE vessel then the sole responsibility for the events lie with the Sri Lanka Navy and this incident would have very grave consequences," the LTTE said.

In a statement posted on the pro-rebel Tamilnet Web site, the LTTE said the vessel's crew had allowed the navy to board the craft and carry out an inspection, but the navy had later fired on them.

"The crew who took to the life rafts and asked to approach the Sri Lanka Navy boats were arrested by the navy," the statement said adding that it had lodged a complaint with the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM).

The SLMM, a body led by Scandinavians who monitor the ceasefire between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels in place since Feb. 23 last year, said they were trying to investigate the differing claims.

"We wanted to go to the location given by the LTTE, but our monitors had to turn back and come after about 25km because of rough seas," SLMM spokeswoman Agnes Bragadottir said.

She said the navy had given the location of the incident as 110 nautical miles east of Mullaitivu coast which is within Sri Lanka's Exclusive Economic Zone.

However, the Tigers said the attack took place in international waters.

The Tigers said the navy indicated to the SLMM that they had not arrested any surviving members of the crew of the LTTE oil tanker.

Bragadottir said they did not know about the fate of the crew.

The LTTE has boycotted peace talks with the government since April in protest at what it says is the slow implementation of promises.
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