MIG 29 - No knee jerk reaction
- President Rajapaksa
[Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - 7.00 GMT]  

The decision to purchase MIG 29 fighter jets for the Sri Lanka Air Force is part of the plans to modernize the Air Force and have a good Air Defense System (ADS). It was not a knee-jerk reaction to the LTTE's recent air
attacks, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, told Editors and Media Heads at Temple Trees today.

He said there were reports of the LTTE obtaining light aircraft long before its recent air attacks, leading to some talk of a proper ADS, but nothing had been done. However, despite these earlier reports some now say the LTTE's aircraft had been purchased from the Rs. 250 million allegedly given to it during the election campaign.   

President Rajapaksa said that only after the present government was elected that new radar equipment was obtained and work begun on establishing a proper ADS. "We are now continuing with the work of improving and
strengthening the ADS", he said. 

The President stressed that contrary to many reports the addition of the MIG 29 fighter jets was not thought of after the LTTE attacks. It was part of the planned development of the ADS, which envisaged a phased shift from MIG 21 to MIG 29. This was not a sudden case of using a Mercedes Benz against a bullock cart, as had been commented he said. 

He said the Defence Authorities had worked out a means of responding to the LTTE's present air capability and other threats by air. 

Commenting on questions about the closure of the Bandaranaike International Airport for some hours at night, President Rajapaksa said this had mainly be
done at the request of Srilankan Air, which was the only airline with regular night operations. He added the decision to restrict night operations at the airport had been a plus point for Sri Lanka with the representatives
of insurance companies who arrived here to assess the situation. 

So far they had not intimated any decision to increase the insurance premium on civil aviation services, the President said.

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Last Updated Date: May 16, 2007 -7.00 GMT