Sri Lanka, Tigers both claim victory in maritime battle

Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Nadu made conflicting claims of victory after a naval battle Saturday.

At least 40 people were dead or missing after Sri Lankan naval ships and Tiger patrol boats engaged each other in the waters off northeastern Mannar district.

Sri Lanka claimed to have sank eight Tiger patrol boats while sustaining damage to three of its own craft.


"Sri Lankan soldiers secure village after the land mine blast in Kabithigollewa northeast of Colombo, June 15, 2006. Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi/Reuters photo from Yahoo News.

The Tigers, however, denied losing any boats but instead claimed to have sank three Sri Lankan patrol craft.

There was no independent confirmation of either claim.

In a separate incident, three Tiger frogmen were captured just north of the capital Colombo. Two of the three fighters attempted suicide by taking cyanide pills and are were taken to a hospital.

Maoists will join interin Nepal government

Maoist leader Prachanda said that rebel leaders will form part of an interim government which will replace both the Nepal parliament and the Maoist "People's Government."

Prachanda met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and leaders of the other seven political parties in the ruling alliance on Friday.


Leader of Nepal's Maoist rebels Prachanda, second left, sits inside a car with his wife after their arrival at the Katmandu airport, Nepal, Friday, June 16, 2006 for a meeting with leaders of the ruling coalition. AP photo from Yahoo News.

The new government will create a new constitution and set the stage for a permanent government down the road.

Before that time, an interim constitution will be created and the United Nations will provide oversight of both Nepalese troops and Maoist fighters.

Sri Lanka attacks Tigers after bus blast

Claymore mines killed 64 people on a bus near the government-controlled town of Anuradhapura Thursday prompting raids on Tamil Tiger positions.

The Tigers, for their part, denied any involvement in the bus attack, but the government and media nonetheless believe the rebel group is involved.


Tamil rebels patrol in an armed truck on May 16, 2006 near Kilinochchi. Reuters photo from Yahoo News.

Sri Lankan jets and artillery pounded targets near Kilinochchi, the headquarters for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

"If they are attacking Kilinochchi, they are showing they are ready for war," Tiger peace secretariat S. Puleedevan told Reuters.

The situation in Sri Lanka continues to deteriorate despite efforts by foreign peace negotiators.