Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who met with senior Indian officials, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, wants India-Russia trade to expand to $20 billion a year by 2015 from the current $8 billion.

Russia sees India as a strategic counterweight to China. Moscow and New Delhi also have a shared interest in tamping down regional violence, drug production and Islamic fundamentalism in South Asia.

As China and the rest of East Asia grow ever-thirstier for energy, the Indian Ocean has grown in strategic importance. About 60% of the world's oil moves past India's shores.

The Russian carrier Admiral Gorshkov is slated for delivery in 2012 with a complement of 45 MIG-29 fighter jets. Having the ship also will allow India to send adversary Pakistan a message when it sees fit. The nuclear-armed neighbors have fought threemajor wars since their division in 1947.

'A carrier puts constraints on whatever Pakistani naval capacity, especially if they come close to our shores,' said Kanwal Sibal, a former Indian foreign secretary. 'We can keep watch on Pakistani subs and other boats they have that may be up to no good.'

Friday's carrier deal follows years of broken promises and hurt feelings. In 2004, Moscow agreed to sell the carrier and 16 MIG-29 fighter jets for $1.5 billion.

Three years later, however, it upped the price to about $2.5 billion. India stewed, but eventually -- with few alternatives and the Viraat rapidly becoming a museum-in-waiting -- agreed to Friday's estimated $2.34 billion price tag.

Russia has for decades supplied about 70% of India's military hardware. Indian attempts to develop indigenous weapons programs have been beset by technical problems, cost overruns and lapsed deadlines.

In the last decade, India has acquired more U.S. and Israeli weaponry. But its arsenal of Russian weapons guarantees significant contracts for Moscow to provide maintenance, replacements and parts for some time.

India also agreed Friday to acquire 29 additional MIG-29s for $1.9 billion. The two nations are mulling joint development of a military transport aircraft and a fifth-generation fighter.

Putin also played salesman for his nation's MIG-35s. India's air force is shopping for 126 fighter jets, valued at about $11 billion. International rivals for the contract include Lockheed Martin's F-16 and Boeing's Super Hornet.

On the civilian nuclear front, Russian and French firms enjoy an advantage, given that U.S. companies were not allowed to supply reactors and related technology until 2008, when Indian and American officials hammered out a civilian nuclear agreement.

Energy-hungry India is expected to sign at least $150 billion worth of nuclear power deals in coming decades. State-backed Russian firms are already involved in building four reactors here and are looking for more opportunities.

'We need energy from anywhere and everywhere,' said C. Uday Bhaskar, director of the New Delhi-based National Maritime Foundation, a think tank. 'Russia has been a source for a long time, although I'd imagine India's direction should also energize the industry in America.'

It's been 66 years since Violet Cowden flew fighter airplanes during World War II, but when she took to the skies recently off the coast of Southern California, it was like she was home.

'It's like I never left,' said Cowden, 93, who flew a light fighter plane for an hour, completing stunts that included barrel rolls and a mock dogfight with two other airplanes. 'I feel more comfortable in the air than I do in a car,' she told AOL News.

Cowden took the flight Feb. 26 as a prelude to an even more exciting event -- receiving a Congressional Gold Medal. As part of the dwindling group of Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, Cowden and her sisters in flight received the highest honor bestowed upon a civilian during a ceremony today at the U.S. Capitol. Although the WASPs worked for the military, they were not enlisted and their place in history has been largely ignored until now.

'I wish more of us could be here,' Cowden said from her Huntington Beach home. 'Every year we lose more and more.'

Of the 1,102 certified WASPs, only about 300 are still alive. Of those, about 200 attended the Capitol ceremony. Relatives of the deceased pilots received medals in their honor.

'The medal is something that we did not expect, so of course we are very pleased,' said Pearl Judd, 87, a WASP from southern California. 'When we were discharged in December 1944, we were told to go home and our records were sealed. We didn't get our veteran's status until 1977 and didn't have the right to have a flag on our coffin until after 2000.'

Judd told AOL News that she fell in love with airplanes as a child and signed up to join the WASPs when she heard of its formation. WASPs were used to test and ferry war planes across the United States, freeing their male counterparts for deployment in battle. The pay was $150 a month during training, with a $100 raise after graduation. Recruits had to pay for their own room and board and uniforms.

Judd was a test pilot, making sure airplanes that needed repair were worthy to go back into battle.

'They tried out everything on us -- we flew every plane that they had on the Air Force menu from (the) first jet to the B-29,' Judd said. 'The B-29 was a little touchy. Its engines caught on fire.'

Cowden had the most glamorous job of the group -- she flew the fabled P-51 Mustang fighter plane from factories to various military bases around the country. The P-51 has been credited with winning the war by guarding the larger bomb-dropping aircraft from attack. Its lightness and speed made it a match for any approaching enemy aircraft.

'I've never felt afraid of flying,' said Cowden, who sometimes flew the single-seat aircraft for five hours at a stretch. 'I'm so comfortable in the air.'

The former first-grade teacher from South Dakota grew up on a farm and wanted to fly long before she knew planes existed. As a young woman, she scrimped to take flying lessons and, when the war broke out, she tried to enlist.

'I thought I would be flying up and down the coast looking for the Japanese,' she said. 'I didn't think I'd be in combat, but I would've loved it.'

Asked if she had wanted to be deployed over Berlin, Cowden piped: 'Absolutely. No question.'

Combat or not, the petite pilot endured some prejudice in her job from men who thought she was overstepping her bounds.

'Once I delivered an AT-6 (aircraft) in Kansas. It was supposed to be the commander's personal plane. He refused to accept the plane when he saw that I had delivered it,' Cowden said with a smile. 'When I got out of the airplane, wherever I went, it was a shock usually.'

Cowden said the GIs would often watch her landings and then tease her if the plane bounced -- which was infrequent.

One of her most notable achievements was delivering the first P-51 to the Tuskegee Airmen, the famous group of black fighter pilots.

After the war ended, Cowden packed up her navy blue polyester uniform and headed to California, where she opened a ceramics business. She married and had a child, but her days as a pilot were just a prelude to even more adventures.

'My daughter and I backpacked for three months around much of the world,' she said. The 1966 trip included the Great Wall of China, Taiwan, India, Germany, England and Sri Lanka.

Cowden also likes to hang glide and skydive. At 93 years young, knitting and jigsaw puzzles aren't her deal, and she doesn't go to the local senior center.

'I don't fit in,' she said.

Cowden attributes her youthfulness and vigor to her frame of mind.

'No matter how bad things were, I thought there must be something good happening, so I always tried to look at the best side of life rather than the negative,' she said.

Mike 'Maverick' Blackstone was in the cockpit as a backup pilot during Cowden's recent flight. He flew the plane during takeoff, but the rest of the flight and the landing were under Cowden's control.

'She is a great pilot,' said Blackstone, a retired airline pilot who works for Air Combat USA, which stages mock dogfights and invited Cowden to participate.

'You would assume someone her age would jut sit there and rely on co-pilot,' Blackstone told AOL News. 'It was just like back in the '40s. She had a grin on her face and knew where she was going.'

Sri Lanka Air Force celebrates 59 years service to nation.

The glory of the mark that SLAF left on the saga of the greatest Humanitarian Operation in the world, from Mavil Aru to the LTTE s last hold, Puthumathalan, is unsurpassable. SLAF men and machines soared to sky, along with the military thrust that started from Mavil Aru. They touched down, only after victory was declared by the Commander-in-Chief of Sri Lanka s Armed Forces, after eliminating the LTTE.

Initially it was the No.06 Squadron - the MI 17, transport helicopters that took off, continuously carrying hundreds and thousands of troops and equipment.

They brought hope to the foot soldier fighting a crucial battle, day in and day out. As the fighting became more and more fierce, the ever faithful Bell 212 s of the No.07 Squadron were never far from the battlefield, evacuating the injured, ferociously flying them for medical attention and returning to hover around again.

The MiG 27 s of 12 Sqn, the Kfirs of 10 Sqn and the F 7 s of No.05 Sqn soon followed, providing close air support to the fighting troops, blasting passages for them to march through and decimating LTTE nerve points.

Then the Mi - 24s of the No.09 Squadron cruised low out of the horizon strafing the enemy and flying behind enemy lines to extract brethren out on Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) missions. The No.04 Squadron- flew the Bell 412s, conveying VVIPs whose physical presence and directions at the battle field made all the difference.

The No 02 Transport Squadron, logged thousands of flying miles, carrying cargo - human and otherwise, in its AN 32-Bs and C 130s. Men operating the UAVs from ground based cells watched breathless and unblinking, the enemy s movements on the ground. The Beech craft of No.08 Squadron were flown very many times and always came back with vital information that decided the tempo of the war.

During the total Humanitarian Operation and upto now, SLAF Regiment, the infantry element of SLAF is admirably holding vast areas of land that was liberated.

Apart from their much used to peripheral protection and air field protection, they are now engaged in sustaining gray areas and taking giant steps forward in normalizing conflict affected areas through massive stabilization programs.

People who fled the area almost three decades ago are gradually coming back firmly in their belief that SLAF would help them rebuild their shattered lives.

The belief of the displaced, was taken as a challenge by the SLAF ground element, starting from resettlement, SLAF has progressed towards provision of water, irrigation, preparation of hundreds of acres for agriculture, building up schools for the children, apart from providing security to the resettled.

They also have given assurance to the Government authorities to step forward in opening their local offices and function as they used to. Many non-governmental organizations were also encouraged and assisted in re-developing the infrastructure, which was destroyed at the hands of the LTTE.

The Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, another sub unit of SLAF Regiment, is deployed across liberated areas engaged in de-mining activities, directly facilitating the safe return of IDPs.

The firstever air threat to a conventional Air Force by a terrorist organization emerged, when the LTTE started flying their ZLIN 143. It was admirable that SLAF rose to the situation and countered the threat through an effective Air Defence Network, put together within record time.

What was aimed for and achieved by ground crew, engineering officers and technicians was groundbreaking. The technological component of managing the battle was efficiently synchronized. Medical teams were always around and logistical support was brilliant.

However much the fighting went on, premises never lost their polish, Officers, men and women always held their heads high, SOPs were followed, last post was always played and traditions were upheld.

Versatility - a true mark of professionalism
The SLAF overcame the delusion that it is an organization that is predominantly technical in its operations. Commander Air Chief Marshall Roshan Goonetilleke and his team have demonstrated unprecedented ingenuity and commitment in creating the winds of change, to facilitate the national consensus to eliminate terrorism from the soil of Sri Lanka. As a vital link in the National Military Strategy, the SLAF team rose admirably to the task of countering and dismantling the LTTE through optimal utilization of their relevant skills, competencies and maximum and productive management of air assets.

During the four years of the final stages of the war against the LTTE, not a single air asset was destroyed while flying. The men and machine gallantly faced the wrath of LTTE s fire power and returned to base.

True professionalism essentially involves versatility. Apart from its traditional role of protector of Sri Lankan skies, men and women of SLAF have carried the SLAF flag high in many diverse forums locally and internationally.

In many spheres, including sports, information technology, entertainment, reliving the proud past through a magnificent museum and many areas of academics, SLAF Officers and other ranks are flying high. Bagging National Productivity and Quality recognitions repeatedly, during incessant military operations was no mean feat. Professionalism of the men and women of SLAF is underscored by these achievements.

Lest we forget
Time stands still when SLAF honours her men and women who selflessly protected the integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka not only with fire power, but also with their lives. To date 59 officers and 384 airmen have laid down their lives in supreme sacrifice.

It has been said, One must die so that others may know the full value of life. Value of life is the value of freedom, the freedom that came to Sri Lanka at such a cost...the cost of those lives that were willingly sacrificed so that the Nation could live free. Freedom did not come without pain, loss and despair.

It came through the valiant efforts of all men and women putting country before self. Apart from the floral tributes that are regularly offered, pragmatic memorial is initiated through SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit to add value to the lives of the family members who will be ever grieving with the loss of their loved ones while serving the country.

Legend lives on
A SLAF flies high today, proud in the knowledge that she has developed by leaps and bounds from a fledgling Air Force to a force of full stature. SLAF from a largely ceremonial and peace oriented Air Force, transformed herself to a formidable force to reckon with.

She gallantly fought insurgencies and wars with modest resources available. Fighting, erring and fighting again, SLAF walked the path of learning. She now has become the trail blazers in the global arena of military aviation.

Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke firmly believed that the atitude of SLAF will always be governed by men and women of SLAF. SLAF has always been fortunate to be steered by a dedicated and professional leadership who continuously supported the evolution within the organization and the transformation from good to the best. Fifty nine years after her conception, today, March 02, 2010, SLAF reflects on her achievements.

The splendour of her history, the commitment and courage of her people, the grit that never wavered in the face of adversity and the leadership that transformed adversity into winning ways stand in good stead today as Sri Lanka Air Force celebrates its 59th Anniversary, the first after eradicating terror, as a highly effective and forward looking member of Sri Lanka s Armed Forces.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) celebrates its 59th anniversary on March 1. The SLAF which had its origins as the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) with a fleet of a dozen Chipmunk aircraft is now a formidable force with over 100 different types of aircraft and helicopters, ranging from Y 12, a light aircraft built in China to the sophisticated F7 GS, also a Chinese product.

Now, that the eelam war is over it would be pertinent to examine the role played by the SLAF under the able leadership of Air Marshal W. D. R. M. J. Goonetilike, who received the appointment as the first serving Air Chief Marshal at the end of the war. The SLAF and the SLN played vital roles in the offensive spearheaded by the then Army Chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, undoubtedly Sri Lanka s most successful service chief, though his entry into the murky world of politics tarnished his image beyond repair. Had any of the services failed, the war could never have been won.

For the SLAF, a two-pronged LTTE raid on its Anuradhapura airbase in October 2007 could not have come at a worse time. It caused heavy damage, particularly to its surveillance capability as the Army was struggling on the Vanni front. The raid spearheaded by LTTE suicide cadres threatened to undermine the entire Vanni campaign. A tri-services Court of Inquiry headed by the then Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, revealed serious shortcomings in security measures adopted to thwart an LTTE raid. In fact, a section of the security forces and pro-LTTE media, too, believed that the SLAF would never recover from the debilitating attack. It was the single biggest loss suffered by the SLAF in the Eelam War IV.

The SLAF lost eight aircraft including two UAVs and several Chinese built aircraft.

But to the credit of the SLAF, it hit back within two weeks by killing LTTE Political Wing leader S. P. Thamilselvam in Kilinochchi. It was perhaps the single most decisive air strike directed against the LTTE, though it did not cause any damage to military assets. The strike stunned the LTTE and caused irreparable damaged to its morale. The LTTE leadership never recovered from the loss and within two years was decimated on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon.

This is what Commanding Officers of SLAF Jet Squadrons, Group Captain Sajeewa Hendawitharane (MiGs/No 12) and Wing Commander Shehan Fernando (Kfirs/No 10) had to say about the Kilinochchi hit.

Hendawitharane, who led the attack, said that the rising sun gave him the much-needed cover to zero-in on Thamilselvan. 'I flew a MiG 27 with Shehan at the controls of an Israeli-built Kfir. We took off at 5.55 a.m. from Katunayake and carried out the bombing 25 minutes later taking advantage of the sun which gave perfect cover for our mission,' he said. He said that they had flown on a westerly direction from Iranamadu, east of A 9, and targeted the LTTE leader with a heavy load of bombs.

Hendawitharane had dived and manually directed four 500 kg bombs at Thamilselvam from a height of 1,850 feet before the Kfir CO targeted the hideout with four 250 kg bombs.It had been one of three locations identified by the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI). After a careful study of the terrain with the help of satellite imagery and pictures obtained from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), a pair of jets flying in what Hendawitharane called Panther formation, had pulverised the LTTE hideout.