Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COLOMBO491
2007-03-26 11:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
SRI LANKA: LTTE ATTACKS AIR BASE USING LIGHT
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C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000491
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
SINGAPORE FOR FAA
BANGKOK FOR TSA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM MOPS EAIR CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: LTTE ATTACKS AIR BASE USING LIGHT
AIRPLANES
REF: COLOMBO 484
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr., for reasons 1.4(b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000491
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
SINGAPORE FOR FAA
BANGKOK FOR TSA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM MOPS EAIR CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: LTTE ATTACKS AIR BASE USING LIGHT
AIRPLANES
REF: COLOMBO 484
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr., for reasons 1.4(b,d).
1. (SBU) At approximately 12:45 am on March 26, the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) conducted their first
known aerial attack on Sri Lankan military targets. The LTTE
used two small fixed-wing aircraft to drop four bombs on
Katunayake AIR FORCE Base adjacent to Colombo's Bandaranaike
International Airport. The Tiger airplanes reportedly
returned to their base in the north (probably at Iranamadu)
after completing their bombing run. The military-run Media
Center for National Security reports that three airmen were
killed and 16 wounded. There were no civilian casualties.
Hangars holding GSL MiG-27 and Kfir aircraft were the likely
target, but government sources report that no fighter planes
were put out of commission and airport runways were unharmed.
2. (SBU) The attack did hit the aeronautical engineering
building at the airbase, causing a fire, and reportedly
damaged windscreens on some GSL helicopters, which will be
airworthy after minor repairs. The GSL temporarily closed
the adjacent civilian airport as a precautionary measure. It
was reopened approximately three hours later. On the LTTE's
web portal, Tamilnet, LTTE military spokesman Irasaiah
Ilanthiraiyan claimed credit for the attack and threatened
more as long as the GSL conducts AIR raids on LTTE-controlled
territory. Pictures of the Tiger airmen, ordinance, and
airplanes are also posted on Tamilnet.
3. (U) As a result of the attack, Cathay Pacific Airways
suspended its flight operations to and from Colombo until
further notice. Cathay Pacific will fly its remaining
passengers in Colombo to Bangkok and Hong Kong on March 27.
A Cathay Pacific press release stated, "Safety is a top
priority at Cathay Pacific and a careful assessment of the
situation will be made before services are resumed." No
other airline has suspended its operations.
4. (C) COMMENT: Other sources reported that in fact, some
Sri Lankan AIR FORCE jet aircraft may have sustained some
damage. A defense analyst told us that one of the bombs did
not detonate; it was disassembled and proved to be full of
C-4 explosive. The LTTE attack using airplanes represents
another escalation in the conflict and does not bode well for
near-term peace prospects. However, it appears the LTTE took
considerable care not to harm civilians in this attack.
Reports of the LTTE's owning two small planes have been
circulating for some time, and GSL military sources told us
several weeks ago they were concerned about the possibility
of an attack like today's. The LTTE undoubtedly were
responding to what they saw as the provocation of a
government probing attack on March 23 into their northern
territory, near Mannar (reftel). While the damage inflicted
appears minimal, the propaganda advantage for the LTTE
military forces, which have suffered numerous reverses in
recent weeks, is great and will boost their morale.
5. (SBU) The EAC met on March 26 (septel) and determined
that a recommendation against travelers using the
international airport was not warranted since this attack
specifically targeted the military airfield.
BLAKE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
SINGAPORE FOR FAA
BANGKOK FOR TSA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM MOPS EAIR CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: LTTE ATTACKS AIR BASE USING LIGHT
AIRPLANES
REF: COLOMBO 484
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr., for reasons 1.4(b,d).
1. (SBU) At approximately 12:45 am on March 26, the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) conducted their first
known aerial attack on Sri Lankan military targets. The LTTE
used two small fixed-wing aircraft to drop four bombs on
Katunayake AIR FORCE Base adjacent to Colombo's Bandaranaike
International Airport. The Tiger airplanes reportedly
returned to their base in the north (probably at Iranamadu)
after completing their bombing run. The military-run Media
Center for National Security reports that three airmen were
killed and 16 wounded. There were no civilian casualties.
Hangars holding GSL MiG-27 and Kfir aircraft were the likely
target, but government sources report that no fighter planes
were put out of commission and airport runways were unharmed.
2. (SBU) The attack did hit the aeronautical engineering
building at the airbase, causing a fire, and reportedly
damaged windscreens on some GSL helicopters, which will be
airworthy after minor repairs. The GSL temporarily closed
the adjacent civilian airport as a precautionary measure. It
was reopened approximately three hours later. On the LTTE's
web portal, Tamilnet, LTTE military spokesman Irasaiah
Ilanthiraiyan claimed credit for the attack and threatened
more as long as the GSL conducts AIR raids on LTTE-controlled
territory. Pictures of the Tiger airmen, ordinance, and
airplanes are also posted on Tamilnet.
3. (U) As a result of the attack, Cathay Pacific Airways
suspended its flight operations to and from Colombo until
further notice. Cathay Pacific will fly its remaining
passengers in Colombo to Bangkok and Hong Kong on March 27.
A Cathay Pacific press release stated, "Safety is a top
priority at Cathay Pacific and a careful assessment of the
situation will be made before services are resumed." No
other airline has suspended its operations.
4. (C) COMMENT: Other sources reported that in fact, some
Sri Lankan AIR FORCE jet aircraft may have sustained some
damage. A defense analyst told us that one of the bombs did
not detonate; it was disassembled and proved to be full of
C-4 explosive. The LTTE attack using airplanes represents
another escalation in the conflict and does not bode well for
near-term peace prospects. However, it appears the LTTE took
considerable care not to harm civilians in this attack.
Reports of the LTTE's owning two small planes have been
circulating for some time, and GSL military sources told us
several weeks ago they were concerned about the possibility
of an attack like today's. The LTTE undoubtedly were
responding to what they saw as the provocation of a
government probing attack on March 23 into their northern
territory, near Mannar (reftel). While the damage inflicted
appears minimal, the propaganda advantage for the LTTE
military forces, which have suffered numerous reverses in
recent weeks, is great and will boost their morale.
5. (SBU) The EAC met on March 26 (septel) and determined
that a recommendation against travelers using the
international airport was not warranted since this attack
specifically targeted the military airfield.
BLAKE