Colombo:indian express.com Apr 29,2009

Amid reports that LTTE supreme Velupillai Prabhakaran and his top aides may try to flee, Sri Lankan Navy in a pre-dawn attack sank six rebel boats and foiled seven attempts by Tigers to recapture Rektavaikkal fortifications which has left the Tigers vulnerable.

Lankan warships detected six Tiger boats sneaking out of the coastal patch they still hold, sinking all of them and killing 25 rebels on board, a Naval spokesman said.

The presence of boats with the Tigers indicate that they are still holding on to some of them to attempt a breakout.

“There were 25 rebels on board the six Tiger boats that were sunk this morning,” the spokesman said, adding the four of the craft were laden with explosive for a possible suicide strike against Lankan boats to make a passage for the other two boats to make a getaway.

Sri Lanka has put its naval forces on full alert and put up a 24-hour blockade of the Mullaittivu coastline still in Tiger hands.

On the ground, LTTE cadres made as many as seven suicide attacks to recapture the fortification near Rektavaikkal which were breached by Lankan troops on Tuesday as reports from war zone said Prabhakaran had switched over to wearing civilian dress to avoid detection and targeting by Lankan forces.

In fresh offensive army on Wednesday captured another Tiger fortification killing nine more rebels.

Advancing further south after breaking through LTTE defences, the army captured a 200 metre long earth bund which was still under construction, the army said.