Colombo, Feb 03: Still to trace any sign of a
fledgling Tiger Air Force even after over running 90 per cent
of the area under their control, Sri Lankan authorities have
launched air and ground vigil to make sure that the LTTE jets
do not launch an attack on country's Independence Day.
Fighter jets and helicopters are hovering over the
Colombo skies to thwart any such attempt.
Though Lankan forces have captured six of the seven
suspected Tiger air strips, yet they have failed to come
across any of the four Czech made single engine planes. But
the defence experts do not rule out the possibility of Tigers
dismantling the planes and whisking them away.
It is felt that the LTTE which is engaged in a do or
die battle with the Sri Lankan forces could launch any kind of
attack to boost its sagging morale.
In addition to the usual security measures in place on
land and at sea, a tight air cover will be in operation over
Colombo and its immediate suburbs during the 61st Independence
Day celebrations at the Galle Face Green tomorrow.
"We will use our air capabilities to protect the skies
over Colombo during the Independence Day celebrations," Air
Force spokesman Janaka Nanayakkara said.
He said the Air Force would thwart any threat at any
required time.
The LTTE "air force" came into prominence when it
struck on the Sri Lankan military air base inside Colombo's
international airport in March, 2007.
Intelligence reports indicated that the LTTE might try
to use its aircraft to carry out attacks on military or VIP
targets in Colombo or in any part of Southern Sri Lanka, the
Daily Mirror reported today.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, February 03, 2009, 00:00