War at Sea: Old School

I don't care if it is 1206 or 2006 - you need to be ready to close with the enemy and destroy them. Up close and personal if needed.

The Sri Lankan navy said Monday that it had sunk eight Tamil Tiger rebel ships loaded with troops and weapons during a five-hour sea battle of the country's east coast, killing about 70 separatists.

It was one of the largest clashes in Sri Lanka's conflict since weeks of fighting in August left hundreds dead and threatened to shatter a 2002 cease-fire agreement.

The latest fighting began late Sunday night when the navy spotted 25 rebel ships sailing south.

Commander D. K. P. Dassanayake of the Navy told The Associated Press "more than 70 cadres are dead" and two other ships, believed to have been transporting arms and ammunition, were burning at sea.

The remaining 14 rebel boats retreated after the hostilities just off the coast of the eastern town of Pulmoddai, about 225 kilometers from the capital of Colombo, he said.

One navy vessel was damaged, injuring five sailors, he said. But it had made it back to port.

A spokesman at the Defense Ministry's press office confirmed the attack, but had no additional details. The rebels were not immediately available for comment.

More than 100 rebels were killed in two separate sea battles earlier this month as they reportedly tried to reinforce positions in the east where they lost territory to government forces.

What are they fighting with? Pay the Sri Lankan Navy a visit.