Two killed in major suicide attack on Sri Lanka port

Oct 18, 2006 (AFP) - Tamil Tiger rebels disguised as fishermen staged a suicide attack against Sri Lanka's southern port of Galle Wednesday, killing at least two sailors and destroying three gunboats, officials said.







The attack in Galle -- an historic city and popular tourist destination -- came as foreign envoys pushed for the Sri Lankan government and the rebel Tigers to hold peace talks later this month.

The guerrillas forced their way into the tightly guarded port in five boats, three of which rammed naval craft and exploded.

Naval fire blew the other two rebel boats out of the water, police said.

"Obviously they have come to Galle on a suicide mission," defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told AFP.

Police said two sailors were killed and 26 people were taken to hospital with injuries.

There were no immediate reports of foreigners among the casualties in Galle, the country's third largest city, about 70 miles (110 kilometres) south of Colombo.

The attack comes one day after the US embassy here warned its citizens of possible terror attacks in the Sri Lankan capital.

A message posted on its website said the embassy "wants to make Americans aware of the heightened possibility for terrorist