President hails airmen for their timely actions

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE Reporting from China Bay Air Force Camp

"The most ruthless and powerful terrorist organisation in the world is now kneeing down before our Armed Forces said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the colours award ceremony at the China Bay Air Force base yesterday morning. He said the Sri Lanka Armed Forces have provided a morale booster to other armed forces in the world as to how to fight a powerful and a ruthless terrorist organisation at a time like this the Sri Lanka Air Force ought to be commended for their valour.

The President said that he can very well remember way back in 1986, when Valikamam, Vadamarachchi and Thenmarachchi Army Camps were threatened and it was the Air Force that went to their rescue. When the Army was forced to confined themselves to the Jaffna Fort we were not in a position to provide supplies by land or the sea. During this time the Air Force came to their rescue.

They helped to evacuate the sick and the wounded soldiers. "We cannot forget the services rendered by the Air Force.

They conducted several sorties during that period. Through their eyes they were able to locate several terrorist camps in the area and destroy them successfully. They even silenced LTTE terrorist leaders like Thamil Chelvam and Sornam.

There is a perception in the world that a conventional Army could not simply defeat a ruthless terrorist organization. But our Armed Forces have shown the world that they can be defeated.

"We salute our soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the motherland".