Lankan Navy, Tigers exchange gunfire

The navy suffered no casualties, but officials were not sure whether the rebels suffered any casualties.

Tamil Tiger rebels in a boat fired at a Sri Lankan navy post in the port town of Trincomalee on Thursday but retreated when the navy retaliated with gunfire, a navy spokesman said.

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The navy suffered no casualties, but officials were not sure whether the rebels suffered any casualties, said navy spokesman Commander DKP Dassanayake.

"They first fired grenades from launchers and then used automatic weapons," Dassanayake said. "In self defence, we retaliated."

Rebel representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

Trincomalee town and its port are under government control, but the rebels have their presence around.