Alert Naval Units counter Enemy Air Threat thwarting Enemy Intentions

LTTE Air Craft over Naval Base at Colombo Harbour

Alert Naval Units responded immediately to counter the enemy air threat on the 20th February 2009. Sri Lanka Navy received prior warning about an impending air raid around 2030 hrs. Subsequently, all naval bases around the island were immediately alerted and Naval Air Defence Systems activated including the radars and all surveillance systems to counter the enemy threat.

The Navy had prior intelligence of two LTTE craft taking off from Pudukuduiruppu and heading towards Colombo along the Western Coast for a possible air raid on strategically important locations including the Colombo Harbour. As a consequence, all Naval units had been put on maximum alert to thwart any aerial attack by the enemy.

Due to the vigilance of the Naval personnel, the Colombo Harbour Night Surveillance Camera System timely detected the enemy approach and heavy anti-aircraft gunfire was directed at the enemy craft. The Night camera’s recordings clearly show the enemy aircraft intrusion into the air space over the Colombo Harbour, the activation of Air Defence Systems and the subsequent Security Forces Fire which hit the enemy craft. The enemy craft caught fire due to heavy gun fire directed and crashed into Inland Revenue Building failing to reach the desired target.

Gun fire directed at the Air Craft	Gun fire hit the Air Craft
Air Craft caught fire	Air Craft crashed into Inland Revenue Building and exploded

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