Sri Lanka air defences down Tiger aircraft

Feb 20, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has downed a Tamil Tiger light aircraft near an air base and an international airport north of Colombo following a raid where another aircraft attacked the headquarters of the island's revenue office, the military said. Colombo was blacked out shortly after 9.00 pm Friday after the military detected at least two Tamil Tiger aircraft and anti-aircraft fire lit up the night sky.

Tamil Tiger rebels are now cornered in a small area in the northeast of the island and the military has already capture seven airstrips.

Air force spokesman Janaka Nanayakkara said a body has been found in the wreckage of the aircraft in Katunayake.

An aircraft was also found at the revenue office building, a part of which caught fire.

Meanwhile a spokesman at Colombo's main hospital said at least 14 persons were admitted to hospital and one person was in a serious condition after a bomb was dropped near the main revenue office.