America and the European Union have strongly condemned Thursday's Tamil Tiger attacks against the Sri Lankan navy.

Both called for the government to show restraint. The clashes were the worst at sea since a ceasefire was signed 4 years ago.

International condemnation of the attacks has been swift and harsh. Both the United States and the European Union blame Tamil Tiger rebels for the clashes.

The Tigers claim they were simply defending the sea around their areas from navy attack.

However international truce monitors have clearly stated that the rebels have no maritime territorial rights.

In a declaration on a pro-rebel website, the Sea Tiger commander Colonel Soosai rejected the ruling and has warned that the Tigers will wage war on anyone who stops them from operating at sea.

In its statement, the European Union called on both parties to show restraint and prevent further violence.

It said that only the ceasefire stood between the country and an outright war, which neither side could win.

The head of the ceasefire monitoring mission, Ulf Henricsson, said the situation in Sri Lanka could be described as a low intensity war.

He said there was no peace agreement, only a ceasefire agreement.