LIONAIR PLANE SHOT BY LTTE (98 Oct 07)
The Lionair plane which disappeared last week was shot down by the LTTE, according to Mr. Suresh Premachandran of the EPRLF.
The aircraft which carried civilians from Palali, Yapanaya to Kolomba disappeared three minutes after the take off. Earlier for about a week, the LTTE had warned the people in Yapanaya to refrain from flying to Kolomba.
While the Lionair management has not admitted that the plane had been shot even though the debris of a plane and dead bodies have been found during the last few days. Meanwhile all investigations pertaining to the aircraft have been handed over to the Civil Aviation Authority. The government has temporarily banned all civi aviation between Kolomba and Yapanaya.
Most of the passengers in the ill fated aircraft were Tamils and and if the LTTE has shot down the plane then it goes on to show that they have no concern or respect for the lives of the people whether they are Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim or any other. They are hungry for power and will not hesitate to do anything to achieve their goal.