Wreckage of LTTE aircraft to turn into museum piece

The undamaged portion of the LTTE aircraft that was shot down by the airmen at Katunayake last week will be exhibited at the Air Force museum in Ratmalana. This was the first ever enemy plane to be gunned down by the Sri Lanka Air Force since its inception, according to Air Force spokesman Wing Commander, Janaka Nanayakkara.

He told the Sunday Observer, that the two Czech-built Zlin-Z143 aircraft of the LTTE to hit targets in Colombo, did not return to their base safely as they did in the past.

"The timely action with perfect air defence system had managed to bring down those two planes. The LTTE plane that had rammed into the Inland Revenue Dept. building opposite the SLAF headquarters, was shattered to pieces.

Whereas the second plane which was brought down onto a marshy land at Katunayake, with little damage to its body. The SLAF men were able to recover the Tiger pilot's body.

Once the investigations are over, the Tiger aircraft will be displayed at the SLAF museum in Ratmalana along with other exhibits", the spokesman added.
Source: Sunday Observer