Tri-services board to probe LTTE raid on A’pura air base ruled out

by Suresh Perera

Dismissing speculation over the appointment of a tri-services board to probe the devastating LTTE raid on the Anuradhapura air base, a senior military official said yesterday that the two committees of inquiry named by the Air Force Commander will fully investigate the attack as well as the inter-related crash of the SLAF Bell 212 helicopter.

"A top level probe is now underway", military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

"I don’t know anything about a tri-services board to be appointed as there has been no such official indication", he explained. "There has been some speculation though".

Asked whether the Anuradhapura base commander and officers down the line responsible for the protection of the base have been moved following the shocking security lapses, he said that no changes have been made so far.

The base commander was due to retire at the end of this month, he said. "He is still there".

Necessary disciplinary action will be initiated against officers and men found responsible of any security lapses after the conclusion of the probe, said Lakshman Hulugalle, head of the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS).

The two committees of inquiry appointed by Air Force Commander, Air Marshal Roshan Gunatilleka will adequately probe both incidents, he said. "Decisions will be based on their outcome".

"There is no need for a tri-services board as the issues at hand are already being addressed through the appointment of these two committees by the Air Force Commander", he explained.

He said that it was clear that there had been some serious security lapses as the attackers would not have otherwise infiltrated the base. "All those aspects will be investigated".

Asked about reports on consumption of liquor by Anuradhapura-based security and police personnel that day as they were pre-occupied with the Gajaba Super Cross, Hulugalle said that what’s doing the rounds is just hearsay.

"Let the ongoing inquiry establish it so that disciplinary action can be taken", he noted.

Seven aircraft were destroyed in last week’s Black Tiger attack on the air base.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake told Parliament that one M1-24 helicopter, one beechcraft, three PT6 aircraft, one K-8 plane and a M-17 helicopter were wiped out in the attack. Another MI-24 chopper was damaged.

The crash of the Bell 212 helicopter close to Mihintale killed both pilots and two airmen.

The inquiry will also ascertain whether a technical defect or friendly fire, as speculated, brought down the helicopter which was flying from the Vavuniya base to Anuradhapura when the LTTE struck.