Three LTTE craft completely destroyed in sea battle off Point Pedro

Three LTTE sea Tiger craft was completely destroyed while another two were disabled following a major sea battle that erupted off Point Pedro around 4.30 p.m. this evening (19).

The Navy supported by ground troops with heavy MBRL and artillery fire and air support by MI 24 helicopter gun ships inflicted heavy damages on the cluster of enemy Sea Tiger boats.

Sea Tigers with heavy damages are currently withdrawing towards Kadaikadu naval sources confirmed. Naval fast attack craft are in hot pursuit engaging the fleeing Sea Tiger craft.

Read more,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=6280
and
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070619_07

Mangala & Sripathi cross over to Opp. Benches; forms a new political wing

Former ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Suriarachchi crossed over to the opposition benches this morning, before the government presented a supplementary budget to parliament to obtain approval, for 6 ministries exceeding 650 million rupees.

Meanwhile Suriarachchi and Samaraweera have decided to establish a separate wing of the SLFP called the Mahajana Wing.

The two former ministers have informed this move to the speaker in writing.

Read more,
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=4292