Mullaitivu airstrip rendered out of action

COLOMBO: The Government yesterday confirmed the aerial attack on the LTTE airstrip in Mullaitivu and stressed the troops will not allow the LTTE to develop airfields in uncleared areas.

"The operation was concluded Friday evening and the troops managed to demolish the airstrip," said Air Force spokesman Group captain Ajantha Silva at a special media briefing in Colombo.

Questioned if the air strip was completely razed, Group captain Silva said: "We ensured that the airstrip is not in a condition to use."

Government defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the troops did not want to incur unnecessary destruction. "We only wanted to ascertain that the LTTE cannot use the airfield."