The explosion took place along Trincomalee - Nilaveli Road where the sailor were on a foot patrol, police said.

One died on the spot while the other succumbed to his injuries in the Nilaveli hospital, police said.

Saying the LTTE has carried out this attack; police said an attack targeting the security forces came after many weeks.

Security forces have tightened up security, and they recently recovered several claymore mines and other weaponry that were meant to carry out attacks against security forces, police said.

In Batticaloa, there were exchange of motar fire between LTTE and the Govt.forces on Saturday, correspondents said.

As a result, the Year 5 scholarship examination conducted for the displaced students on Saturday was not held in the Vakarai area, said Regional Director Education, Kalkuda,U.C.M.Jenuideen.