A navy craft of Sri Lanka has been sunk on Saturday in the island’s north-eastern coast after a sea mine blast. Five sailors were rescued & a search was under way for the other 11 crewmen after the pre-dawn blast off Nayaru.

An official of military said that the attack craft was patrolling the waters for suspected Tamil rebel activity when it was hit by the sea mine.

The official said that a similar vessel in the area had rescued the five sailors.