Zlin attack in Colombo and Mannar-Updated

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Zlin 143 planes launched air attacks on Mannar and Colombo today. The Air Defence Systems are still active as we speak. Two gravity bombs have fallen near Kelanitissa thermal power plant damaging a cooling unit. A minor fire caused by the blast was subsequently put out by the Fire brigade.

An attack by Zlins on Thaladi camp in Mannar was reported prior to this attack. The blackout in Colombo was imposed only after this attack. The attack on Colombo commenced shortly after 11pm.

The Zlin 143 planes have escaped without damage. They are said to have come from an unknown location in Mannar and had avoided the SLAF radar at Vavuniya by flying very low, SLA Air Defence Unit told DefenceWire. Further details will follow.

The attack once again exposed serious defensive failures on the part of the SLAF. These defensive incapabilities were limited to the ground prior to Katunayake attack. However, with the emergence of TAF, the incapabilities extended to SLAF's own domain-- the airspace over the nation. Unlike the SLA and the SLN, SLAF has demonstrated it is incapable of fulfilling its role to the level expected.