Colombo Airport attacked, Tamil rebels suspected

March 25, 2007

Colombo, Sri Lanka - Gunfire and four explosions erupted Monday at Colombo International Airport in an attack by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels, halting incoming and outgoing flights, military officials said.

Gunfire and four explosions erupted Monday at Colombo International Airport in an attack by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels, halting incoming and outgoing flights, military officials said.

The attack occurred at 12:45 a.m. local time and appeared to have attempted to target air force buildings at the airport, 23 km north of the capital, the sources said.

Armed forces sources told CNN they were investigating reports that a light aircraft may have dropped bombs on the airport, but there was no confirmation that was indeed the case.

The explosions were followed by intermittent gunfire. There was no damage to the civilian side of the airport, and a fire in a military hangar was quickly brought under control, the sources said.

A runway separates the air force base from the civilian airport.