COLOMBO, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 Tamil Tiger rebels were killed in a sea battle with the Sri Lankan Navy Friday evening, defense officials said.

    The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sea wing launched an attack at the northern Jaffna peninsula's Nagarkovil area, arriving there in 15 boats, the Navy said.

    The Navy engaged the rebels in an exchange of gun fire, killing at least 20 rebels, while two sailors were injured in the attack.

    This was the third attack involving the LTTE and the Navy this week.

    More than 100 sailors were killed on Monday in a suicide bomb attack in the North Central Province while the rebels attacked the southern Galle port's naval base two days later, killing a sailor, a civilian, and causing injuries to 24.

    Almost at the same time of the Jaffna attack on Friday, the visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asian Affairs Richard Boucher urged the government and the LTTE rebels to use the Oct. 28 and 29 talks in Switzerland to "make a new beginning" in the faltered Norwegian backed peace process.

    Boucher, who ended a 2-day visit to the island, told reporters that both sides must give up violence and work towards a political solution to the ethnic separatist armed conflict.

    The U.S. diplomat said the international community was committed to see an end to the violence and help the two parties reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

    This week's violence happened despite the agreement by both sides to meet at the negotiating table in Switzerland.

    Both sides accuse each other for perpetrating violence which has endangered the Norwegian backed process.