Sri Lankan Navy fires on 'arms' ship

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka's Navy fired at a large ship suspected to be transporting arms for Tamil Tiger rebels yesterday.

The vessel was soon ablaze after a series of explosions.

The incident took place in Sri Lankan waters off the southern coast and away from international shipping lanes.

"We fired warning shots and they fired at us," said Navy spokesman Commander D K P Dassanayake.

"The ship is on fire and we can see a series of explosions. It is a big ship and is about [350 km] south of the port of Galle."

There was no word on casualties. The Tigers were not immediately available for comment.

The incident comes after the Navy said it earlier sank two small Tiger vessels in a clash off the northeast coast.

It also comes a day after the Tigers slightly injured the Italian and United States ambassadors and United Nations representative to Sri Lanka when they shelled a delegation of diplomats.

- REUTERS