LTTE says the attack on Navy boats 'can be considered' as a limited operation

The LTTE statement issued on Friday has strongly condemned the statement by Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM).

The truce monitors on Thursday have reinstated their earlier ruling that the LTTE rebels have no right over sea and air.

LTTE's political wing leader S P Tamilchelvan said that they have expressed their dismay over the attitude of the ceasefire monitors in an emergency meeting with the monitors.

A team led by SLMM Chef Ulf Henricsson met Tamil Tiger leaders in Kilinochchi on Friday following attacks by LTTE on Sri Lanka Navy boats.

Tiger rebel boats attacked a convoy of Sri Lankan navy boats in the northern seas on Thursday in which one navy boat was sunk.

The government said 17 sailors are missing and Sri Lankan forces killed over 30 rebels.

The government has retaliated by launching air raids on LTTE targets.

Tamilchelvan said they do not want ceasefire monitors to travel with the Sri Lankan troops in ships.

If the ceasefire monitors do, then they should also travel with the rebels travelling from east to north, he added.

The Tigers questioned whether the government was authorised to launch limited military operations as it did in Trincomalee, soon after the assassination attempt on the Sri Lankan Army chief Gen Sarath Fonseka last month.

"We also have the right to launch limited military operations and Thursday's incident in the northern part can be considered as part of our decision," Tamilchelvan said.