Internet and international telephone services have been disrupted in Sri Lanka after a ship's anchor is believed to have damaged an undersea cable connecting the island to the rest of the world.

More than 800,000 Internet and phone users have had their services hit by the damage, according to Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), after the cable was damaged at the weekend. The telco is now suing the vessel, the Indian-registered State of Nagaland for $5m for damages. The ship is currently anchored outside Colombo Harbour.

The incident happened at the weekend and repair work is not expected to be completed for a couple of days. Until then, Net users are suffering from an intermittent service.

Lanka Business Online reports that the Colombo District Court has orderd the vessel to remain in port until the SLT's case is heard on 6 September. ®

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