Vessels ferrying arms for LTTE destroyed

He said the FAC fired at the two vessels which failed to heed its warning to stop and tried to take cover under dozens of Indian trawlers fishing in that area.

One trawler was blown up in pieces along with its occupants after receiving a direct hit from the naval fire. A naval sailor was killed and four others, including two officers, were injured due to the impact of the explosions on the trawler, the official said.

Another trawler which tried to escape was also sunk after being hit by the navel fire. Two occupants of the trawler, who later jumped into the waters, were detained by the navy. Their identity, however, was not known.

Meanwhile, two soldiers and 16 LTTE rebels were killed in heavy fighting in the north-eastern provinces during the past three days, a defence release here said.

An expert in gem technology and his security guard were arrested along with 18 others in connection with last Friday’s bomb attack in Colombo in which 29 people were killed.

Local media reports said today the expert heading a private institute in computerised gem cutting located in the lane opposite the spot from where about 10 LTTE suicide bombers carried out the attack was arrested yesterday by police.

He was arrested following the information provided by some LTTE suspects.

Police also arrested the security guard of a dilapidated house from where the rebels planned to attack the convoy of Deputy Defence Minister General Anurrudha Ratwatte with claymore mines, rocket propelled grenades and anti-tank missiles.