LTTE threat: Airlines suspend services

Following Sunday's pre-dawn air-raid by two 'squadrons' of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, two international airlines -- Cathay Pacific and Emirates -- have suspended their flights to Sri Lanka amid safety concerns for their aircraft.

Airline officials contend that following the recent air-raids by the LTTE, Sri Lanka's air traffic controllers were no longer in full control of the country's airspace.

"This could cause a dangerous threat to international flights," an airline official added.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan troops killed six LTTE guerrillas in a clash in the island's northeast, hours after the rebels bombed two oil depots near the capital.           

"Security Forces confirmed that the Tiger cadres were killed when troops retaliated against an LTTE small arms attack targeting an army foot patrol on Sunday," the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The bodies of six LTTE cadres were recovered by troops during a search operation following the confrontation. Three of them were women, the Ministry said.