Tami rebels without the wherewithal

Source: By Alastair Lawson
BBC News

As the Sri Lankan army advances against Tamil Tiger rebels in the north, it says it is inflicting a devastating blow against their capacity to continue fighting on land, sea and air.

In addition to making significant territorial gains in recent weeks, the army says it has killed or captured hundreds of rebel soldiers.

But it also says it has seized much of the hardware which over the past two decades made the rebels one of the world's most feared - and most ingenious - insurgent groups.

The latest example of their innovative technical skills was displayed on Thursday, when the army unveiled a 35-foot (10.6m) armour-plated submarine it said it had seized.

Three partially completed mini submarines and a 152mm artillery gun were also captured by troops, the army said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7859063.stm