COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, November 18, SPA -- Sri Lankan naval forces backedby helicopter gunships attacked a group of rebel boats early Tuesday, sinking two and killing six Tamil Tiger sailors, the military said. The sea battle came as the military pushed ahead with itsmulti-pronged offensive against the rebels' de facto statein the north, Associated Press reported. The battle erupted in Nayaru Lagoon on Sri Lanka'snortheast coast, just south of the rebel stronghold ofMullaitivu, when navy forces attacked seven Tamil Tigerboats, the military said in a statement. The navy sank two rebel boats and severely damaged athird, killing six rebel sailors, the military said. As the remaining rebel boats fled to shore to be hauledout of the water, attack helicopters pounded them withairstrikes, it said. The military also launched airstrikes in other parts ofthe north, sending helicopters to attack a rebel gatheringpoint in Kilinochchi district early Tuesday, the militarysaid.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/608707