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Historic, says Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Tuesday characterised "as historic" the reported success of the Air Force (SLAF) in shooting down one of the two light-wing LTTE aircraft involved in an attack on the Vavuniya Base and Wanni military headquarters in the early hours of Tuesday.

Minister and Defence spokesperson Keheliya Rembukwella said the LTTE obtained air capability in 2002, wounding the pride of the nation and causing concern to among citizens. In this context, the damage caused to the LTTE "air capability" is a great achievement.

The nascent LTTE "air wing" first demonstrated its capability in the last week of March 2007, when two light-wing aircraft attempted to bomb an Air Force base at Katunayaka on the outskirts of Colombo. The latest attack was the seventh in the series of air attacks by the LTTE since March 2007.

He said as per the intelligence assessment, the LTTE has three light-wing aircraft. Asked why the second aircraft could not be hit, he said: "We would look into it. We believe it is a historic day for the people of Sri Lanka."

He said the objective of the LTTE attack was to destroy the radar system at the base in Vavuniya, but the air defence system, which was activated instantly, repulsed the attack.

Udaya Nanayakkara, Army spokesman, said at 2.50 am, the aircraft, heading towards Vavuniya, were sighted. The Army countered the attack with anti-artillery fire, supported by the jets from the Katunayaka Base, which chased the planes and destroyed one.

In the confrontation, 10 LTTE suicide cadre, who launched the ground attack to coincide with the air attack, were killed and their bodies, along with "vital communication equipment," recovered. He maintained that between 2.50 am and 5.45 am, around 70 artillery rounds were fired. "The light aircraft dropped two bombs." Twelve soldiers were killed and 15 were wounded. Seven air men were hospitalised, a police constable was killed and nine were wounded, and one civilian was also killed.

The Army spokesperson said the security forces had already penetrated most of the LTTE defences in Kilinochchi District. The 58 Division entered the area north of Nachchikuda and other troops are marching towards Wannirikulam.

Squadron Leader Sanjeewa Adikari, who coordinated the attack on the LTTE aircraft, told journalists that around 3.26 a.m., the radar system detected the presence of the first plane and around 3.31 a.m., it detected the other.

"Then, the radar system automatically activated itself. Meantime, fighter jets from Katunayaka were air borne and they intercepted and destroyed one aircraft over Mullaitivu airspace," he said.

In a statement, LTTE military spokesperson Rasiah Marshall claimed that a "Black Tiger unit" (suicide squad) launched a "pre-dawn attack on the radar station situated in the Wanni Operational Headquarters of the Sri Lankan Armed forces at 0305 hrs. The radar station was destroyed in the attack. The Air Tigers and a battery of Col. Kiddu Artillery Regiment assisted the Black Tigers team in this attack. At least 20 Sri Lankan soldiers were killed and several others were wounded in the attack."

"The aircraft of the Air Tigers that participated in the sortie safely returned home. Weaponry stores, communication tower, communication facility and antiaircraft guns were also destroyed in this attack. Regional commanding stations of the Wanni Command and the Special Force of the Sri Lankan Army were badly damaged in this attack," he added.

The SLAF said jets continued attacks LTTE positions in Wanni on Tuesday. In a separate statement posted on its website, the LTTE alleged the SLAF bombed the town of PTK, causing extensive damages to buildings and other property.

The Air Force, however, denied the charges.

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