Thursday, October 19, 2006

Violence flares again in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka troops were on high alert after Tamil Tiger rebels stepped up attacks on naval targets.

Rebels launched an apparent suicide mission on the Galle naval base on Wednesday killing one sailor and losing 15 militants.

Fighting was also reported in other areas of southern Sri Lanka, where Tamils form a minority. The attacks sparked looting of Tamil shops by Sinhala gangs. Fighting between the rebels and the government has continued to rise since last July.

A navy officer stands next to coffins containing the bodies of sailors before they were released to their families in Colombo October 18, 2006. (Stringer/Reuters)
A navy officer stands next to coffins containing the bodies of sailors before they were released to their families in Colombo October 18, 2006. (Stringer/Reuters)