VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHLM #0516/01 0910533
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 010533Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5791
INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3645
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0815
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 7563
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000516
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA AND PM, USPACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2017
TAGS: MASS PTER PREL CE IN
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA REQUESTS US MILITARY TEAM TO ASSESS AIR DEFENSE FOLLOWING LTTE AIR ATTACK
REF: COLOMBO 491
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C/NF) Summary: Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa convoked Ambassador and Defense Attache on March 30 to request
the visit of a U.S. military team to assess how Sri Lanka can improve its air defense capabilities to defend against
possible future LTTE air attacks. Rajapaksa outlined the country's current radar configuration and asked for U.S. radars
to augment Indian-supplied two dimensional radars and the soon-to-be-completed purchase of a Chinese three dimensional
radar. Ambassador underscored that if the U.S. agrees to this request, we would want to work transparently with India.
The Secretary confirmed that would be fine, but noted that Sri Lanka would want to approach India before the U.S. makes
contact on this issue. Embassy recommends the USG respond positively to the GSL request for an assessment team.
End summary.
AIR DEFENSE CONCERNS AS A RESULT OF LTTE ATTACK
2. (C/NF) Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka had known about the LTTE's efforts to create an air wing for at least eight
years, including full knowledge that the LTTE had at least two aircraft. While the government had made efforts to build
an air defense system, the recent LTTE air raid (ref) demonstrated that the current system is not sufficient to counter
the LTTE's offensive air capability. The Defense Secretary said that radars in Vavuniya had picked up an SIPDIS
unidentified aircraft as had the civilian radar at the airport at the last minute, but otherwise the attack had escaped
detection. The aircraft was able to travel from the north along the western interior of the country over Wilpattu
National ark, strike the airfield and return to the north. Rajapaksa indicated the LTTE attack caused only sight damage
to several helicopters including twoMI-17 helicopters on loan from India. The bombs ad exploded when they hit the roofs
of the hangas, mitigating the effects of the bombs. The bomb had also been packed with pellets rather than icendiary
charges that might have caused more damag. He pointed out that the bombs hit only in and around the hangars supporting
helicopters; Sri Lakan Air Force Jets were not in the area attacked and not damaged.
RADAR SYSTEMS NOT SUFFICIENT
3. (C/NF) Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka's curren radar systems are not sufficient to meet the LTTE air threat. He told
the Ambassador India provided two radars that have two dimensional capabilities and would provide two more radars in the
future. Sri Lanka had been working with India to receive three dimensional radars but after years of not receiving them,
decided to purchase a Chinese system that is now in the process of being installed. In addition to the radar systems,
Rajapaksa noted that not a single L70 anti aircraft fire direction radar - ALSO provided by India - was working making
any attempts to shoot down an aircraft at night difficult.
U.S. ASSISTANCE REQUESTED
4. (C/NF) The Defense Secretary requested U.S. military assistance in assessing Sri Lanka's entire Air Defense System
and help in acquiring the hardware required to UPGRADE their system. The Defense Secretary opined that a U.S. radar may
be needed, but noted the first step must be a professional military assessment of Sri Lanka's whole air defense system.
He asked that the US military send such a team. He specifically requested that the team comprise professional military
officers and not contractors.
5. (C/NF) Ambassador responded that the Embassy would convey Sri Lanka's request to Washington immediately. Noting the
assistance the Government of India had already provided for Sri Lanka's air defense system and the importance of working
in a transparent manner, the Ambassador asked, if Washington decides to approve Sri Lanka's request, whether the
Government of Sri Lanka would have any objection to the U.S. team briefing India either before or after their visit to
Sri Lanka. Rajapaksa responded that he would have no objection to coordinating with India. He suggested that the U.S.
should first decide if it can send a team, after which Sri Lanka would inform the Government of India.
MILITARY AIR BASE TO MOVE
6. (C/NF) As part of the effort to address the newly exposed weaknesses, Rajapaksa revealed that he has asked the Sri
Lankan Air Force to move its base from the Katunayaka within two months. He noted that the base was in the process of
being moved to Sigirya Air Force Base in north central Sri Lanka some years ago but had to be stopped because of an
environmental court case. He said that the air force is considering Sigirya air base or Higurajgoda (Minneriya) air base
as its new location.
COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST
7. (C) Embassy recommends Washington approve the Government of Sri Lanka's request to send an assessment team. Since Sri
Lanka remains vulnerable to another attack, we recommend this take place as soon as possible. Rajapaksa clearly
understood that if a team is approved and if they recommend the acquisition of new radar, such radar would likely not be
free of charge. He also commented that given the assistance the U.S. already has provided to help Sri Lanka establish
maritime surveillance radars under Section 1206, there might be some merit in establishing an integrated air and
maritime system.
BLAKE