A security alert was in place across Sri Lanka Sunday after
Tamil Tiger rebels vowed to retaliate for air attacks, following a
day of fierce battles on land and sea that left more than 50 people
dead.
A police water bowser was blown up in a Claymore mine attack in
the north-central district of Anuradhapura, killing three
constables, the military said.
A military spokesman said they believed the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE) carried out the bombing.
Also Sunday the Tigers and a breakaway faction of rebels clashed
in the island's east leaving at least six guerrillas dead, military
officials said, citing intercepts of rebel radio
communications.
Already tight security was further strengthened in the face of
escalating violence in northern and eastern regions on Saturday
that saw vicious fighting between troops and rebels.
"We have made sure security is tight," inspector general of
police, Chandra Fernando said Sunday. "We are seeking public
co-operation to track down any suspicious activity."
Fernando said the LTTE had deployed a new type of sea mine along
the northwest coast, but five divers laying the mines were
arrested. One died after committing suicide by swallowing a cyanide
capsule.
The arrests came as the LTTE warned that the country will be
pushed back into a "fatal war" if the military resumes air
strikes.
Fighter jets bombed suspected Tiger positions on Thursday and
Friday as a deterrent against more attacks following Thursday's
blast on an overcrowded bus in which 64 people were killed.
On Saturday at least 52 people were killed as fierce land and
sea battles erupted.
The leader of the LTTE's political wing, SP Thamilselvan, denied
Tiger involvement in Thursday's bus attack.
"We categorically deny the accusation that the Tigers attacked
the civilian passenger bus," he said in remarks published on the
pro-rebel Tamilnet.com website.
The military has brushed aside rebel denials and carried out air
attacks as well as artillery strikes against Tiger positions.
There have been no reports of casualties and Tamilnet reported
on Friday that two out of six bombs dropped by the planes did not
explode.
The LTTE fought a major sea battle against navy patrol craft
along the northwest of the island on Saturday, killing at least 12
sailors and destroying three boats, officials said.
The defence ministry said the navy and the air force beat back
the Tiger offensive by sinking eight Tiger craft and killing 30,
but the rebels said they suffered only two people wounded.
Six civilians were also killed in the crossfire while 28 were
admitted to hospital with gunshot and shrapnel injuries. Both the
government and the rebels blamed each other for the civilian
casualties.
Three more sailors were killed when their boat capsized while
rushing to the aid of colleagues under attack.
Saturday's incidents were along a 185 kilometer stretch of the
northwest coast. The clashes marked a further escalation of
violence despite a February 2002 truce.
International condemnation of the bus attack was followed by
calls for both the Tigers and the Sri Lankan Government to return
to the negotiating table.
The European Union, which last month banned the Tigers as a
terrorist organization, urged the parties on Saturday to negotiate
a settlement to the conflict, which has claimed more than 60,000
lives since 1972.
Peace broker Norway this month failed to arrange face-to-face
talks between the Colombo government and the LTTE in Oslo.
(China Daily June 19, 2006)
