Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) received information that two LTTE light aircraft were approaching the Western coastal area around 1.30 am today when they were about 20 nautical miles away from Colombo and the air defence systems were activated. Hence the aircraft had to turn back without reaching their targets. As the air defence systems were activated, the two aircraft fled the area and dropped four explosive devices in Kolonnawa area and Muthurajawela area around 1.50 a.m. There were no casualties and only minor damages caused to the properties.

After activating the air defence systems, Air Force aircraft were also airborne as a defencive action, which has prevented the LTTE aircraft from achieving their destructive objective.

The Air force has established that two light aircraft landed at Iranamadu area and launched an aerial attack on several identified targets at Iranamadu in Kilinochchi at 5.30 a.m. today. The damages caused to enemy establishments are yet to be confirmed.

The LTTE has started to use low-flying light aircraft for destructive actions since last month. The security forces are ascertaining this new threat by low flying light aircraft and would take short term and long term measures to detect and destroy the LTTE air capability and to ensure safety and security of the military, economic and civil establishments.

The Government is fully capable of meeting any challenges from the LTTE terrorist outfit and wishes to reassure the nation that all effective steps would be taken to ensure safety of the nation and its people.