IAF show main attraction at Sri Lanka Air Force anniversary

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, MARCH 9. The President, Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, said today that the Sri Lanka Air Force had treated the people of the north-east with ``humanity'' and had ably assisted in preserving the unity and territorial integrity of the country.

The Sri Lanka Air Force marked its 50th anniversary today with a parade and a sky-show at which a team of sky-divers and paratroopers of the Indian Air Force proved to be the main attraction.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Kumaratunga noted that since her Government had come to power in 1994, the Air Force had equipped itself with ``dozens'' of various types of aircraft, including combat warplanes.

The Air Force announced last week that it had acquired 50 aircraft within the last year, including Kfirs jets, MiG 27s, Mi- 35 combat helicopters and Hercules C 130 transport planes.

Sri Lanka has often been criticised for using Israeli- built Kfirs and other bomber jets in its conflict zone in the north- east for the potentially disastrous consequences for civilians living in those areas.

In 1999, the U.N. expressed concern over an incident in which at least 20 civilians were reported killed during an Air Force bombing at Puthukudyiruppu town in the Vanni. Some Sri Lankan commentators have described the use of combat aircraft to quell a guerilla force as akin to ``using a sledgehammer to kill a mosquito.''

But Mrs. Kumaratunga said today that the Air Force had always treated civilians living in the north-east as equal with citizens in other parts of the country. ``They have been treated with humanity. Our war is against terrorism and those who oppose peace, and the Air Force has clearly understood the policy of the Government,'' she said.

The Suryakiran sky-divers and Akashganga paratroopers of the Indian Air Force were the scene-stealers at the Golden Jubilee Parade held at the Ratmalana Air Base this morning.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Pakistan under global pressure
Next     : Fiji Council of Chiefs to meet on March 13