The Sri Lankan Navy has claimed to have killed over 70 Sea Tiger cadres in a fierce mid-sea battle after it confronted a large Sea Tiger flotilla, believed to be carrying Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam cadres and logistics from the northern Mullaitivu to the eastern Batticaloa district on Monday morning.

According to top Navy sources, navy Fast Attack Crafts on special naval operation had detected the cluster of nearly 25 Sea Tiger craft heading from the LTTE-stronghold of Alambil in Mullaitivu southwards to the Eastern naval areas late Sunday night.

"With Navy reinforcement being rushed from the Northern and Eastern Commands, the Sea Tigers were confronted off Pulmoddai. During a fierce sea battle, which lasted for nearly five hours, 11 LTTE boats were completely destroyed with crew on board and we believe over 70 Sea Tigers were killed and several more injured," the Navy sources said.

They said Sea Tigers have fled the area back to Mullaitivu with the remaining 14 craft, which included five badly damaged boats on tow.

"Intercepted enemy communication indicated that the third in command of the Sea Tiger wing 'Seliyan,' who commanded the battle was among those on board the craft, which were badly damaged. We believe he is either killed or seriously injured in the clash as he never communicated thereafter," the sources said.

Commenting on their own casualty, the Navy said five sailors suffered injuries and one was transferred to Colombo for further treatment. It also said one of its Fast Attack Craft sustained minor damage.

According to the Navy, the aerial reconnaissance assistance of the Sri Lanka [Images] Air Force was also called in to confirm that the Tiger terrorists were not planning to divert the attention of the Navy and thereby carry out a cargo unloading elsewhere in the Eastern coast.

It is exactly a week ago that the navy with the assistance of the Air Force jets destroyed and sank a suspected LTTE Merchant Vessel bringing war like material reportedly from Indonesia off Kalmunai in the eastern seas.

There was no immediate reaction from the LTTE in this regard.