Tiger cadre relayed images of air base attack to leaders, says CID

The main suspect in the LTTE attack on the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) base in Anuradhapurawas produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate this morning (July 28). Court directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) that further investigations based on the main suspects statements be conducted.

The CID told court that the main suspect had been outside the air base and had video graphed the entire incident from beginning to end. He had also simultaneously relayed the images to Kilinochchi for the LTTE leaders to view.

The arrested LTTE cadre had revealed that 24 persons had taken part in the attack while 21 had entered the air base to carry out the deed. The other three, including the main suspect, had directed the attack, the CID told court.

The modern weapons and 8,000 rounds of ammunition were smuggled across the Wilpattu jungles according to the suspects, the CID added. The main suspect was the person who had directed the Tiger planes towards the air base.

The main suspect had been rewarded with a Lieutenant Colonel title by the LTTE leader for planning and carrying this operation, the CID further told court.