Sri Lankan Air Force Makes Inquiry Into Tamil Rebel Attack on Base

Sri Lankan air force have launched inquires into a pre-dawn attack on their main base and adjoining international airport by separatist Tamil Tiger rebels on Tuesday to ascertain whether air force personnel were involved in spying for the Tamil rebels.

Air force sources said that stern action will also be taken against anyone found guilty of neglecting their duty or failing to act on available information in connection with the rebel attack.

A witness at the Magisterial inquiry into the rebel attack said that he had informed two airmen on duty at a check point about a group of suspicious men alighting from a bus with heavy baggage but no action had been taken.

The two airmen have been arrested and will produce before court.

While accepting security lapses, a high-ranking air force officer said that only a trained group like the Tamil rebels could have breached security at Katunayhake.

Meanwhile, police said the rebels had entered the premises through a secret passage situated near the playground of air base which they had entered from.

Fourteen aircraft including eight military planes were destroyed or damaged in Tuesday's rebel attack. 14 Tamil rebels and seven military personnel were also killed.






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