Katunayake shut after attack

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 July 2001, 00:36 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s only international airport, Katunayake ,was closed by the military early morning Tuesday after air force planes at an adjoining airbase came under attack from suspected members of the Liberation Tigers, officials said. A number of aircraft were on fire, they said. Fuel dumps in the base were also ablaze, they added.A number of the Sri Lanka Air Force’s Israeli made Kfir and Mig-27 jet bombers are stationed at the airbase. Military sources said six aircraft were ablaze, but could not confirm the types.

Fighting was ongoing, the officials said.