COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, December 26, SPA -- The Sri Lankan navy sank four rebel vessels during a fierce battle off the island's northwest coast Wednesday, the military said. The clash erupted early in the day after naval patrolboats attacked a rebel flotilla transporting weapons offnorthern Mannar district, said the military's spokesman,Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara. Sailors destroyed four out of 16 rebel boats that were inthe flotilla. «One navy craft was also severely damaged as two suicideboats rammed into it,» he said, without giving details ofcasualties. There was no immediate comment from rebels, according to a report of the Associated Press.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/512276