Bombed Sri Lanka base sacks staff

The authorities have stepped up security, fearing for tourism

Two senior air force officers have reportedly been removed from their posts in the wake of a deadly attack by Tamil rebels on Sri Lanka's international airport.

The commander of the Katunayake airforce facility, which was also targeted in the attack, and another officer responsible for the base's security have been stripped of their positions, according to the French news agency AFP.

11 planes were destroyed in the attack

Eight military aircraft were destroyed at the air base, and another six passenger planes put out of action at Bandaranaike International Airport during Tuesday's attack.

All 14 rebels and seven military personnel were killed.

No tourists were hurt in the fighting but they suffered a terrifying ordeal and Sri Lanka has now tightened security at all tourist resorts in response.

"All resorts and other tourism facilities are operating as they were before the incident on Tuesday," the Ceylon Tourist Board said in a statement.

Tourist jitters

But industry officials said they were preparing for a sharp drop in arrivals after more than 2,000 tourists were left stranded.

The US, Britain and Australia warned against travelling to Sri Lanka, which was visited by about 400,000 people last year.

Three sentries at Katunayake air base have also been arrested for neglecting their duties.

Tourists are lured by picture-perfect beaches

A group of some 14 members of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) succeeded in penetrating the defences of the base and destroyed eight military aircraft before moving on to attack the airport.

The raid coincided with the anniversary of anti-Tamil race riots in 1983 which triggered the civil war between the guerrillas and the Sri Lankan Government.

Faltering peace process

Norwegian-brokered peace efforts have been stalled for several months, with the government refusing a Tiger demand to lift a ban on the group before any direct peace talks can start.

Two Tamil Tiger suicide cadres - known as Black Tigers - were killed on Sunday when the explosive-packed jackets they were wearing to attack a Sri Lankan navy target exploded accidentally, navy officials said.

The naval base near Mannar, 220 km (135 miles) north of Colombo, is used to transport soldiers and supplies for the army fighting the rebels.

The rebels are fighting for an independent homeland in the north and east of the country.