SLAF faced challenge successfully

Government Defence Affairs Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday that the Sri Lanka Air Force had taken the challenge before it over the past one and half years and it brought down one of the LTTE aircraft when it was returning to Mullaitivu after its aborted attempt in Vavuniya.

"The challenge of the LTTE air threat was there for the past one and half years and the SLAF has taken that challenge removing the uncertainty

among the public," Minister Rambukwella added.

He said the LTTE is making desperate attempts to launch attacks on the Security Forces targeting to give a boost for its international fund raising campaign which is now at its lowest ebb with the loss of territory to the Security Forces.

"The LTTE effectively marketed its earlier air raids to the international community to boost their fund raising campaigns and it is trying this type of attack since they are facing difficulties in their fund raising campaign," the Minister added.

Minister Rambukwella pointed out that the pre-dawn attempt of the LTTE was to launch an attack similar to that of the attack on the Air Force base in Anuradhapura and the Security Forces were able to foil this attempt successfully.

"As a nation this is a proud moment as the Security Forces have taken all the challenges posed by the LTTE," the Minister added.

Minister Rambukwella said that the Security Forces are working according to its plans and strategies within the set time frames to effectively defeat LTTE in the Wanni and in the North despite criticism and views expressed by certain groups. Our plans are intact and strategies are working to achieve the target within the stipulated time frames", the Minister pointed out.