COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, October 13, SPA -- Government troops sank a Tamil Tiger rebel boat and the insurgents downed an army vessel in a battle Saturday off northern Sri Lanka, a defenseofficial said, adding that three rebels died and threesoldiers were missing. The morning battle occurred off the Jaffna peninsula whenabout five rebel boats attacked two army patrol craft, saidan officer at the defense ministry's media center. Soldiers on shore sank one rebel boat with an artillerybarrage, killing three rebels, while one army boat was alsodestroyed in the attack, the officer said on condition ofanonymity, citing policy. Three soldiers have gone missing,the Associated Press quoted the officer as saying.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/490231