Sri Lanka sea battle ‘kills 70’

The Sri Lankan navy has said it has attacked 25 Tamil Tiger rebel boats off the eastern coast of the country, killing up to 70 separatists.
The navy said it had sunk at least eight of the boats and two others were burning after the five-hour sea battle.

Five Sri Lankan sailors were reportedly injured. There was no immediate Tiger confirmation of the clash.

Sri Lanka’s 20-year civil war escalated in late July. Hundreds of people have been killed in violence this year.