| 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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