Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

The two commanders had a brief discussion on ways of working together in order to strengthen the maritime security of both Sri Lanka and Maldives and on common issues faced by both countries.

Representatives from 19 countries including 06 Naval Chiefs from around the world participated in the Naval and Maritime Symposium.

Previously the Maldives Coastguard assisted the Sri Lanka Navy by destroying a Tamil Tiger (LTTE) vessel during the final stages of Sri Lanka s nearly three decade long civil war which ended in May 2009.

Naval intelligence reports had indicated that the trawler identified as Sri Krishna which was sunk by the Maldives Coastguard in May 2007, had entered Maldivian territorial waters from Tamil Nadu, India and had been carrying a stock of arms and ammunition for the Tamil Tiger rebels fighting in the north of Sri Lanka.

In the wake of the destruction of the Sri Krishna, the Sri Lanka Navy had managed to thwart several later attempts made by the Tamil Tiger rebels that attempted to bring in arms and ammunition into Sri Lanka by interrogating the survivors of said vessel who had been in the custody of the Maldivian Coastguard.

Recent naval intelligence reports have indicated that piracy is on the rise near the waters of Sri Lanka, India and Maldives. The navies and coastguards have been placed on high alert to prevent any vessels in the Indian Ocean region falling pray to Somali pirates who have been recently active between the waters of South India and Maldives.

As a result of the recent reports, the Indian Navy and the Maldivian Coastguard conducted a joint surveillance operation in and around the Maldivian Economic Zone in early December.

Indian Air Force plans to perform a display for the 60th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Sri Lanka, having spent lavishly to win a two decade long civil war, is now looking to modernize its armed forces, especially the air force. The main prospects are MiG-29s and JF-17s, although second hand F-16s are also a contender. The Sri Lankan Air Force was created in 1951, and for several decades, did little more than provide transport and recon services for the army. Then came the civil war with the Tamil minority in the 1980s. The fighting grew more extensive by the 1990s, and the air force went looking for fighter-bombers and gunships.

A decade ago, Sri Lanka received the first of eleven MiG-27 fighter-bombers. The MiGs were not only cheaper than the more capable (on paper) Israeli Kfirs they had also purchased, but the MiGs were cheaper to maintain and, because of their swing-wing design (similar to the U.S. F-14) able to hit targets more accurately at low altitudes. The MiGs were also better at avoiding, or absorbing, enemy ground fire. That's what the MiG-27 was built for. Moreover, at the 300 kilometers ranges the aircraft had to operate (flying from bases in the south to enemy targets in the far north), the Migs could carry more bombs (usually eight half ton bombs) than the Kfirs.

The 20 ton MiG-27 is a ground attack version of the MiG-23 (which was the Russian successor to the MiG-21, and influenced by the American F-4 and F-111). The MiG-27 carries a 30mm cannon (with 300 shells), and up to four tons of bombs or missiles. Sri Lanka also had a dozen Israel Kfir fighter bombers (an Israeli design based on the French Mirage 5). Israel stopped using the Kfir in the 1990s and was selling them off cheap. The Kfir is a 14 ton aircraft with two 30mm cannon (with 120 shells each), and can carry up to five tons of other weapons (at short range). Sri Lanka has been using the Mig-27s and Kfirs to attack LTTE rebel base camps and artillery positions. The MiG-27s proved to be decisive weapons, given their ability to get down low, survive enemy fire, and accurately deliver bombs.

Sri Lanka got MiG-27s largely because they were so cheap (about $2 million each, versus $3 million for a Kfir). Ukraine had lots of old, Cold War era, MiG-27 fighter bombers. These were well worn aircraft, with only about a thousand flight hours left on them. But the Ukrainians were willing to sell them cheap, and, as a bonus, offer inexpensive refurbishment services, that would add 2-3,000 flight hours to the aircrafts life. The first batch of seven MiG-27s (one was a trainer version) were bought between 2000-2003, for an average $1.72 million each. The aircraft performed well, even though two crashed and one was destroyed on the ground. In 2007, another four, of more recent vintage, were purchased, for $2.5 million each.

Ukraine had inherited thousands of warplanes (including hundreds of MiG-27s) in 1991, when the Soviet Union was dissolved. The dissolution deal had military equipment belonging to whatever new country the stuff was in, when the Soviet Union broken into 15 new countries (including Russia, and Ukraine). For decades, Ukraine had been the major staging area for a possible invasion of Western Europe. Thus lots of warplanes were parked there. Ukraine had no need for most of these, and there was not a big market for second hand Russian warplanes in the 1990s. But some of the better stuff was kept in decent shape, so Sri Lanka was able to get some proven combat aircraft at a fraction of what any alternatives (new or used) would cost.

The popularity of the MiG-29 is partly the result of Sri Lanka almost buying some of these aircraft three years ago. Back then, the government was negotiating the purchase of five MiG-29 jet fighters, for about $15 million each. Some legislators believe this purchase involves bribes, although the price is a bit below what MiG-29s were going for at the time. The MiG-29 was sought because its radar can pick up small aircraft flying close to the ground. This is the kind of air force the LTTE rebels were using, and the MiG-29 is the kind of aircraft that can deal with this threat. The war ended (in early 2009) before a MiG-29 purchase could be made. There is interest in the JF-17 because it is a co-production of Pakistan and China, two countries that were useful in selling weapons to the government during the civil war. The JF-17 is being offered for about $15 million. While used F-16s can be had for less, the United States was less helpful to the government during the civil war, not wanting to get involved in a messy (as civil wars tend to be) conflict.

Sri Lanka really doesn't need modern jet fighter-bombers, as they are a tiny island with 20 million people, off the southern tip of India (population one billion). But there is fear that the civil war might resume, and fear in general, the kind of fear that attracts jet fighter salesmen.

The Air Force gave its fullest support to end terrorism by assisting the Army and Navy as well as providing relief for civilians, Chief of Defence Staff and Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilleke said.

We worked as a team for this cause, the Commander said at a press conference to mark the Sri Lanka Air Force s 60th anniversary celebrations at the SLAF Headquarters Auditorium yesterday.

A highlight at the event was the unveiling of the official logo for the 60th anniversary by the Air Force Commander.

The logo symbolizes the journey of excellence in aviation of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The official logo will be carried on a specially designed float during the annual Guwan Hamuda Papedi Savariya.

It will be the symbol under which all commemoration activities will be conducted for the 60th Anniversary commencing this evening.

After the cycling event, the logo will be carried from Colombo to Buttala on a specially designed float for the Deyata Kirula exhibition where it will be on display. This logo was constructed by Squadron Leader Surendra Munasinghe, whilst the aircraft models on it were manufactured by the SLAF Model Aircraft workshop at SLAF Station Ekala.

The Air Force celebrates its 60th anniversary on March 2, 2011.

The Commander also emphasized the progress of the Air Force, making special mention of the Humanitarian Operations of 2006 as a defining moment in the history of the organization.

The Air Force which began as Royal Ceylon Air Force in 1951 has grown not only in strength and capability but also in number. Back then it had a staff of 1,200 and not more than 10 aircraft.

Today, after successive triumphs as the guardian of skies, it boasts of more than 35,000 personnel of which 1,400 alone are officers. Its fleet too has expanded with time and in its inventory today are more than 110 aircraft, with four attack squadrons and three transport squadrons.

Air Force Commanders and aerobatic teams from several countries are all set to participate in the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force on March 2, 2011, Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshall Roshan Goonatilake said yesterday.

An exhibition of aircraft in the air force inventory would be held at the Ratmalana Air Force Base from March 2 to March 10. There would be aircraft displays where pilots would engage in many aerobic stunts to showcase the abilities of many planes used by the Air Force as well as their own flying skills throughout the celebrations, he said. He explained that the air force had played a vital role in the fight to eradicate terrorism in the country and had also helped the public during natural disasters such as the Tsunami and during periods of floods.

The Sri Lanka Air Force was formed in 1951 with 10 officers and 1500 personnel from other ranks. At the time there were only ten aircrafts in its inventory. Now we have 1400 officers and 35,000 officers of other ranks enlisted with us while our inventory of aircraft had risen to 110 , he said, adding the air force presently consisted of 10 squadrons out of which four were fighter squadrons.

The Air Force was also planning to conduct its prestigious cycle rally, which would be held for the 12th consecutive time and would be held in four stages. The race was due to commence in Vavuniya and finish at the Koggala Air Force Base.

India will deploy fighter aircraft squadrons for the first time in south India and the Andamans, regions where Indian Air Force (IAF) bases have so far had only transport planes and other logistics facilities.

And the Indian Navy and Coast Guard will deploy four to five ships in the eastern Arabian Sea to enhance surveillance near the Lakshadweep islands in the wake of recent incidents of piracy and suspected illegal poaching in the Arabian Sea near these islands.

Air Marshal P.K. Barbora, the IAF vice-chief said that the deployment is aimed at countering the threat of aerial or sea attacks by non-state actors such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and the LTTE, the vanquished Sri Lankan Tamil terrorist outfit which the Indian Home Ministry suspects is regrouping.

The plan is also seen as a way to thwart attacks by terrorists and pirates, who could target oil tankers headed to Indian ports to cripple the country s growth by choking supplies to this energy-hungry nation.

The first two squadrons of the light-combat aircraft (LCA) will be based in Sulur in Tamil Nadu s Coimbatore district and Bengaluru (Bangalore), the Karnataka capital. Squadrons of either the MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) or the Sukhoi will be there too, he added.

Barbora said: 'The role of the IAF will increase in south India. We are also thinking of increasing our presence in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. As far as non-state actors are concerned, we can t say when, where and what they will do...if defence services are called upon to contribute to efforts to put down the design of non-state actors, we are always available.'

The IAF s planned expansion in the south is also aimed at protecting India s larger interests in the Indian Ocean Region.

Barbora announced that the indigenously built-LCA (Tejas) jets will be deployed by the end of 2011.

The LCA is set to get induction clearance next month despite some issues, though Barbora said the IAF is reasonably happy with the jet to give it initial operational clearance.

Orders for 40 such aircraft have been placed with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, the state-owned manufacturer.

The operational clearance is expected to come through next month, which will set in the motion the process of induction of the jets.

The first squadron of the LCA will hopefully be formed by the end of next year at Sulur, arbora said. The induction into the IAF fleet is expected to start in the middle of 2011.

Barbora conceded that the aircraft being developed since mid-1980s had been readied a little late but insisted that it is helping India achieve its goal of designing and developing a fighter aircraft indigenously.

To tackle teething problems, the aircraft will be kept briefly after its induction at the IAF base in Bangalore, where Hindustan Aeronautics is also based.

Initially, for the sake of stability, the aircraft will be based in Bangalore itself. Hopefully, the teething problems, which will be there, would be resolved, Barbora said.

Two years ago, the Navy had stationed a vessel for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. The decision to deploy four or five more ships for anti-piracy and anti-poaching surveillance suggests that the Navy is gearing up to face another maritime challenge as piracy creeps nearer to Indian shores.

Church people and fisherfolk in Sri Lanka have finally received some good news on the controversial sea plane project which they have been protesting against since October.

The government will shift the sea plane project to a different location and invites suggestions for the alternative site, Nimal Lanza, Minister of Road Development, Housing and Constructions, Animal Productions, Fisheries and Tourism in Sri Lanka, announced at yesterday s meeting with priests and fishermen representatives.

Since October, around 5,000 people including Catholic priests, fisherfolk families and activists have held protests against the construction at Negombo lagoon.

We are happy that at least a few priests walked with us right through this crisis. Their presence with us made an impact and we are thankful to them, Nimal Vianney, a committee coordinator of a fishermen association, told ucanews.com.

The project will cause damage to the lagoon and affect fishermen who are the poorest of the poor, Father Terrence Fernando, human rights coordinator for Colombo archdiocese, had earlier pointed out.

According to the fishermen, over 15,000 people from the lagoon s surrounding villages along with the lagoon s annual income exceeding Rs.150 million (US$ 1.3 million) will be obstructed.

Sri Lanka s Civil Aviation Ministry proposed to build a sea plane landing site in order to cater for an anticipated tourist boom.

08.05.2009

Sri Lanka Negotiating to Procure Lethal Military Equipment from NORTH KOREA AND IRAN

S E C R E T STATE 046946

NOFORN

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2019

TAGS: ETTC, KN, KNNP, MARR, MCAP, MOPS, PARM, PINR, PREL

SUBJECT: SRI LANKA NEGOTIATING TO PROCURE LETHAL MILITARY
EQUIPMENT FROM NORTH KOREA AND IRAN

REF: 2006 STATE 141140

Classified By: Michael Owen, Director SCA/INS per E.O. 12958 for reasons 1.4 (B), (D)

1. (U) This message contains an action request, please see
paragraph 6.

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Summary
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2. (S/NF) The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) is negotiating the procurement of Lethal Military Equipment (LME) from North Korea and Iran. Recent intelligence reports indicate that a Sri Lankan company responsible for the acquisition of equipment and services for the Sri Lankan military is negotiating the purchase of RPG-7 Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers (RPGs) and Multiple Rocket Launchers (MRLs) from North Korea s primary weapons trading firm. Some of these proposed arms imports appear to violate UNSCR 1718. We have also received information that Iran s Ministry of Defense Logistics Export Center (MODLEX) has recently provided a multimillion-dollar quote to the Sri Lankan Navy for the installation of naval equipment. Moreover, an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Force element located in Sri Lanka provided details to an Iranian shipping company for the sale of weapons to the Sri Lanka Army. Post is requested
to deliver the talking points in paragraph 6 and report any GOSL reactions.

End Summary.