Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has ordered 'termination of services and discharge' of 31 air force personnel, including the commander of Katunayake airbase, air commodore R A Ananda, for being directly responsible for lapses during the LTTE's July 24 assault on the country's principal airbase and the adjoining Bandaranaike International Airport.
Three other high-ranking air force officials, including the number three in the hierarchy, were sternly warned to be more alert in the discharge of duties. An increment in their salaries is to be stopped for lapses that indirectly contributed towards the devastation, a report in the local daily Sunday Times said.
The president also recommended two officers and ten airmen – who displayed 'courage under fire' during the deadly encounter – for gallantry awards. Her directives follow suggestions made to the defence ministry by Air Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody, based on the findings of the five-member court of inquiry.
A specially-trained commando unit of the Tamil Tigers staged the attack on Katunayake base -- home to the attack jet squadron -- destroying eight military aircraft and three national carriers in the adjoining airport. The losses amounted to not less than $ 400 million. Although several other civil investigations were initiated soon after the attack, no substantial breakthroughs have been made. Military top brass suspects that some of the LTTE cadres who took part in this attack, would have escaped.
This was confirmed when reports from Wanni said that the people of the LTTE-controlled Wanni areas were shown video clippings of the assault.
Bureau Report