LTTE stages air attack in Colombo

An LTTE aircraft on Tuesday night carried out an air strike in Colombo, though no major damages were reported, the defence sources said.

"The LTTE aircraft dropped two bombs at around 23:15 in Colombo," sources said.

"However, an alert Sri Lankan Navy took cover and fired anti-aircraft guns in the sky to prevent any attack on the harbour," they said, adding that there were no immediate details about damages or casualties.

Soon after the attack, the power supplies in and around Colombo was switched off. The electricity was restored almost after one hour, according to the sources.

The power station in Grand Pass area on the outskirts of the city was on fire, they said.

Earlier, the LTTE aircraft reportedly carried out an air strike on a defence establishment in North Western Mannar.

The LTTE carried out an air and ground attack on a military Establishment in the northern town of Vavuniya in September, killing 11 soldiers. Ten Tiger suicide commandos also died in the attack.

A pro-LTTE website 'Tamilnet' quoted Sri Lankan military officials as saying that the LTTE carried out an air attack on Thallaadi military base in Mannar around 11 p.m.

"Initial reports in Colombo also indicated that fire brigade was rushed to Kelanitissa power station in Colombo after an air strike," the Tamilnet reported.