Colombo – The navy thwarted an attempt by rebels to carry out a mid-sea suicide attack off north-eastern Sri Lanka, killing all five insurgents, a military spokesman said Monday.

He said the attackers posing as civilians fleeing the rebel-controlled areas of Mullaitivu, 390 kilometres north-east of the capital, were in a dinghy coming along with three other boats carrying civilians when they were detected.

The five rebels were in possession of two T56 rifles, one pistol, a large amount of TNT high explosives, one night-vision telescope, one diving compass, one army uniform and maps, he said.

The civilians in the other boats were rescued and taken ashore.

The military estimates there are about 50,000 civilians still in the rebel-controlled areas, which the government claims is limited to less than 25 square kilometres. (dpa)