Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining?

Altogether 23 aircraft have been lost in the attack on the Anuradhapura Airbase. The most valuable craft lost included the Beechcraft, two brand-new UAVs and one highly sophisticated UAV with thermal glare detection capability. The LTTE has thus completely annihilated the aerial reconnaissance capability of the Armed Forces.

The 20 member team had entered the base by cutting a portion of the wire fence. Military Intelligence (SLA) piecing together the attack believe at least a small recce team had done primary intelligence -gathering many days prior to the attack. They were well aware of the entry/exit points of the base, the location of the UAV and Beech King hangars and also the absence of the Air Force Regimental Special Forces at the base.

The Black Tiger unit, considered the most lethal force in the LTTE next to the Black Sea Tigers, had little problem in countering SLAF units that challenged them. In fact, SLAF units were unable to trace the Black Tigers and launch effective counter attacks. Although the group was a potential 'write off' for the LTTE considering they were a suicide unit, the Tigers were preparing for a total takeover of the base. After destroying the aircraft in the base the Black Tigers turned to hoisting Tamil Ealam Flags inside the SLAF base. However, the fortunes of the Tiger unit soon began to change.

A 40-man elite team of Special Forces was on their way from Vavuniya. The unit, a part of a much larger Special Forces operation ahead of the Vavuniya FDL, was successfully engaging the LTTE's other elite units, including the Charles Anthony Regiment when Military Planners withdrew them from their original task. Led by a Special Forces Major from the 2nd Special Forces Brigade, the unit was knowledgeable of the Base inside-out, having previously trained in airborne operations from the base. The SF team was a highly capable fighting formation. Within minutes of being airborne, the unit started battle preparations. Arriving in two waves, the unit went into immediate action. They were capable of locating and completely annihilating the Black Tiger unit within a matter of few hours. Suicide cadres or not, the Black Tigers were no match for the powerful Special Forces. Their 'handiwork', captured in gruesome images, are available on defence.lk and is perhaps the only success story in this whole debacle.

The Sri Lanka Air Force base at Anuradhapura may have been the country's most ill-prepared military base. Army intelligence units now tasked with investigating the debacle claim the base had no contingency plan or proper security-drills or rehearsals done prior to the attack. The attack is the result of negligence, improper orientation, inadequate training and a lack of alertness on the part of the men. A severe leadership problem, lack of experience but luxurious and self-indulgent lifestyles are observed as the main weaknesses on the part of the Officers at the base. A close observation between the Sri Lanka Air Force and the other two main Armed Forces reveals serious institutional failures in the SLAF which seems to operate like a nine-to-five private firm more than an Armed Force fighting a ruthless guerrilla organization.