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| LTTE claims two air attacks in Sri Lankan capital | | |
COLOMBO, APR 29
Tamil Tiger aircraft bombed two key installations close to the capital Colombo early today in retaliation for military air raids on their territory, a rebel spokesman said.
Two aircraft carried out the attacks on oil storage facilities near Colombo, the spokesman for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said.
He said two "squadrons" were dispatched after Sri Lankan air force jets had bombed targets in Kilinochchi in the north where the rebels have their headquarters.
One o the installations is the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation's storage facility in Kolonnawa while the other belongs to Shell in Muturajawela, close to Colombo.
Tiger planes targeted the oil storage facilities because they provided fuel to Sri Lankan forces, the spokesman said.
Authorities in Colombo activated air defences following reports that suspected Tamil Tiger rebel aircraft had entered Colombo's airspace.
Security forces fired anti-aircraft guns and power was switched off as residents watched the country's national team lose to Australia in the cricket World Cup in Barbados.
Troops manning key positions in the capital lit up the night sky with a massive barrage of anti-aircraft fire that shook homes and caused panic, residents said.
Security forces also fired tracer bullets into the air after suspected Tiger aircraft were reportedl spotted flying towards the capital.
Security forces at power stations, a local airport and close to the President's official residence used high-powered guns to thwart the suspected attack, officials said.
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