The navy craft on patrol spotted the flotilla off the Kokilai coast, located between Mullaithivu and eastern Trincomalee. The navy started heavy firing and destroyed two boats, the spokesman said here.

The naval spokesman said that as per the information received at the navy headquarters, two rebel boats exploded in a ball of fire after being directly hit during the course of the three-hour battle. The fighting stopped after the other seven rebel boats escaped.