In pictures: Sri Lanka airport attack

The Tamil Tiger attack on Sri Lanka's international airport left at least 17 people dead and caused huge damage to the national airline and the country's tourist industry.

The airport was immediately shut down as hundreds of foreign tourists and workers scrambled to escape gunfire and explosions which ripped through parked aircraft and lit up the morning sky.

The spectacular dawn raid left at least nine guerrillas, three civilians and five military personnel dead

Troops search the airport and surrounding area after the attack

The level of destruction meant that the airport had to be closed and all incoming flights diverted to India

The rebels used mortars, guns and explosives to destroy 11 aircraft

Tourists at the airport said they fled for their lives when the fighting started

The Sri Lanka Air force also lost a number of planes at the military airbase nearby

The guerrilla attack coincided with the anniversary of anti-Tamil riots in 1983

Security was heightened at the airport after another rebel attack in 1995

British tourists who were caught up in the attack are now recuperating at a nearby hotel