SLAF Frontline Aircraft Remain Untouched and the SLAF Will Retaliate and Retaliate Hard

By: Gauri Shankar, Special Correspondent, Sri Lanka Guardian

(October.23, Singapore, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is no surprise that the LTTE Air Wing and Ground Commando's launched a surprise attack on the SLAF Base in Anuradhapura. "Operation Elaa'lan" by the LTTE was well thought out and executed, however the LTTE have not been able to target and destroy the SLAF's frontline attack aircraft such as the MiG27's and Kfir's which are the pride of the SLAF fleet. There is no doubt that the retaliation from the Sri Lankan Air Force is going to be hard and the SLAF will pound on the LTTE bases in retaliation for their recent attack.

Lessons are to be learned from this most recent attack by the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Armed Forces must learn to tackle the LTTE's new method of attack from both the ground and Air simultaneously. Contingency plans need to be put in place by the Ministry of Defence in order to deal with this issue with the assistance of the Indian Government. The Sri Lankan Armed Forces must remain on "HIGH ALERT" 24/7 365 days a year. There cannot be any room for complacency and excuses otherwise it will cost the Sri Lankan Armed Forces dearly.

The Military spokesperson of the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation (EROS) was contacted in Colombo and he stated that "The Indian government must assist the SL Navy and Air Force in reconnaissance operations as the SL Navy must continue with its "DEEP SEA" operations otherwise it is likely that the LTTE will take advantage of the SL Navy and SLAF's weaknesses which is what they are expecting".

Given the circumstances of the attack the SL soldiers defended the base to the best of their ability. Protective measures need to be implemented by the Ministry of Defence with the assistance of India in addressing problems in relation to security and defending the Sri Lankan Air bases from future attacks by the LTTE.

The Sri Lankan Armed Forces must also learn to innovate new tactics and methods in dealing with attacks from the LTTE. This war that the LTTE instigated is for the long-haul and therefore the Sri Lankan Armed Forces must plan accordingly and increase RADAR installations, Anti-Aircraft installations and think about installing a Surface to Air Missile Defence system to defend the Sri Lankan Air Force's main bases from attacks from the LTTE’s Air Wing.