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Clashes erupt in Sri Lanka; police link commandos to robbery
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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- Fresh clashes erupted Monday between Sri Lankan troops and Tamil Tiger rebels after an abortive dawn guerrilla sea attack. No casualties were reported.
Unconfirmed reports, however, said the navy sank two rebel boats. A navy spokesman, who was not identified, said the fighting occurred at Chempiyanpattu, 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of the capital.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have failed to retake the northern Jaffna peninsula in recent months after attacks on the Elephant Pass base, an isthmus that connects northern Jaffna with the rest of Sri Lanka.
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The rebels have been fighting for a separate homeland for minority Tamils in the island's north and east since 1983. Nearly 60,000 people have been killed in the fighting.
Also Monday, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported two lance corporals from an elite Sri Lankan commando unit were arrested during "a daring vehicle chase soon after they had robbed the Galapatha rural bank of 37,000 rupees ($502)."
The robbery happened Sunday near the coastal town of Kalutara, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of the capital Colombo.
The civilian driver of the getaway vehicle was killed when police opened fire, the newspaper reported. Police said the commandos had the money and weapons -- which included automatic weapons and hand grenades -- when they were arrested. One of the commandos had been in charge of the armory at a nearby military base, the newspaper reported.
Deserters from Sri Lanka's military, armed with sophisticated weapons, have been blamed for several crimes in recent months, including the kidnapping and murder of an 8-year-old son of a prominent businessman.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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RELATED SITES:
CIA -- The World Factbook 1999 -- Sri Lanka
Government of Sri Lanka Home Page
Ministry of Defence
Welcome to The Sri Lanka Web Server
Tamil Eelam Home Page
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