Colombo: A suspected arms smuggling vessel of Tamil Tigers was blown up on June 14 and a top Tamil politician was killed, increasing problems for Sri Lanka's peace process.

The unidentified rebel vessel with 12 crewmembers on board was ordered to stop by a nearby craft off the island's North Eastern coast on June 14 but it failed, officials said.

They said before the navy could get any closer, the rebels blasted and sank the ship.

Defence Secretary, Austin Fernando said they have reported the matter to Scandinavian team monitoring the truce between government forces and Tamil Tigers.

There was no immediate reaction from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) but rebel sources said that the navy had attacked the ship in international waters.

The Tigers argue that the navy has no jurisdiction over rebel vessels in international waters.

Truce monitors said 12 rebels who were aboard the Tiger vessel had jumped overboard before the craft sank. The monitor known as the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) had begun an investigation.

"We are told there were 12 Sea Tigers. They jumped over board. There are concerns that the ship has sunk," SLMM spokesman, Agnes Bragadouir said. "No information if the Sea Tigers have been rescued or not."

The incident comes as the pro-rebel Tamilnet website reported that the LTTE's political wing leader S P Thamilselvan had told SLMM Chief Tryggve Tellefsen on June 13 that there could be confrontations with the navy.

PTI