Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

COLOMBO, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan jets shot down a Tamil Tiger plane after the rebels launched a pre-dawn bombing raid on a military base near the northern frontline on Tuesday, the military said.

It is the first downing of a plane belonging to the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) since they debuted their air wing with a surprise attack on a military airfield in the capital Colombo in March 2007, the military said.

Vanni SF HQ attacked

The joint headquarters of the Sri Lankan forces in Vanni, situated in Vavuniyaa town, came under attack for more than 2 hours by the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) in the early hours of Tuesday, according to initial reports from the town. There were at least 11 explosions that rocked the town and heavy exchange of gunfire was reported for more than two hours, till 5:00 a.m. Meanwhile, there were also reports of LTTE's aircrafts engaged in the mission over Vavunyaa in the early hours, around 2:30 a.m.

One civilian, a girl, was wounded and rushed to hospital.

In the meantime, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers and surveillance aircrafts, stepped up their activity over Ki'linochchi and Mullaiththeevu districts from 4:00 a.m.

The Sri Lankan military officials in Colombo claimed that their forces counter-attacked the Tiger aircraft, but their was no indication of any aircraft coming down in Vavuniyaa, sources in the town said.

The explosions could have been caused by Tiger artillery that targeted the Sri Lankan headquarters, the sources further added.

there were also reports of LTTE's aircrafts engaged in the mission over Vavunyaa in the early hours, around 2:30 a.m.

The Air Force spokesman says they 'believe' one Tiger plane was shot down over Mulaitivu while it was returning after bombing Vavuniya.
DM

We have to wait and see,If its true i am sure MOD will post a video clip as the aircrafts are equipped with latest cameras.otherwise we have to take it as a mere propaganda stuff.