Air defences expansion on track

Ranil Wijayapala

COLOMBO: Adequate steps have already been taken to increase the air defence network to face any impending air attack by the LTTE, Government Defence Affairs Spokesman Minister Rambukwella said. "The Government is confident that the process is moving fast to meet the challenge," Rambukwella said.

The Minister said the Security Forces now depend on a "spot defence" system. "Interception and neutralisation will come in due course."

The Minister said the LTTE aircraft which flew to Colombo on April 29 had to abandon the mission due to the activation of spot defence systems at Ratmalana, Colombo Port and the Katunayake airbase. No major damage was caused by the bombs it dropped on two locations.

The Minister however said it was unfair to ask for guarantees and assurances with regard to future air attacks.

He also said that Government was unhappy with the way some media were introducing LTTE air capabilities as the LTTE "Air Force" since there is no possibility for the existence of two Air Forces in a sovereign state.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) carried out yet another successful air raid targeting a LTTE military and training camp in Ramanathanpuram, east of Iranamadu in Kilinochchi at 7.25 a.m. yesterday. "There was a huge fire that raged on for more than five hours after a few explosions in these camps following the air strike," Air Force Spokesman Group Captain Ajantha Silva said.

"Due to the unusual fire, we believe that a Tiger ammunition and fuel dump was hit by the air strike," Group Captain Silva added. LTTE casualties were not immediately known.

The Air Force has been regularly conducting such missions successfully to neutralise LTTE positions in the North-East areas including Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu.