NCJ Number
190401
Journal
Jane's Terrorism & Security Monitor Dated: August 2001 Pages: 11-13
Editor(s)
Afzal Khan
Date Published
August 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examined the impact and response of the 2001 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attack on the Sri Lankan international airport and military air force base.
Abstract
In 2001, a suicide squad of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacked Sri Lanka's only civilian international airport and the adjoining military air force base. This terrorist attack was considered the worst in aviation history. The LTTE attack was aimed at degrading and destroying the air capability of the Sri Lankan military and disrupting the foreign tourist traffic. The LTTE attack made a travesty of the Sri Lankan security system. It was seen as a failure, not only of local security authorities but also of Sri Lankan intelligence agencies. Yet, the Sri Lankan government was able to launch a retaliatory attack with the international airport runway undamaged. However, the LTTE affected the air capability of the military significantly. The LTTE attack was seen as having both national and international implications. It demonstrated that the LTTE was not serious about political negotiations, and the attack was a major morale booster for the LTTE.