[1] On the 22 March 1997, the flagship of the navy SLNS Parakramabahu a Type 037 corvette sailed into the Trincomalee harbour from Galle.

Their mission was to sail north and await instructions from Commander, Northern Naval Area (Comnorth), Rear Admiral Daya Sandagiri.

[1] Around 1:30 AM on 23 March, larger units of the flotilla were off the coast of Mullaitivu, when SLNS Jagatha radioed that it has spotted two groups of boats of four to five heading in their direction.

The LTTE boats included radar equipped water jets it has captured from the navy, large boats the navy personnel called "the bus" and smaller suicide crafts crewed by two to three suicide cadre.

By this time the navy had also sustained casualties with seven naval personnel wounded and requiring medical treatment.

On receiving a radio signal from SLNS Parakramabahu, Comnorth dispatched two Dvoras P 440 and P 443 for casualty evacuation.

Apart from the Dvora that was disabled by enemy action, one developed engine trouble and all had sustained battle damage to some extent.

According to journalist Iqbal Athas, in the past, the OP HQ of the MOD is known to give high enemy casualties.

In fact, if the figures were added together, it would exceed LTTE strength and represent a sizable portion of the Jaffna peninsula's population.