Aircraft belonging to Tamil Eelam Air Force (TAF) launched an airstrike against a major naval base in eastern port city of Trincomalee on Tuesday August 26, according to the Sri Lanka Navy. Heavy explosions rocked the Trincomalee Harbour around 9:00 p.m. and again at midnight. The Sri Lanka Navy confirmed that at least one LTTE aircraft had dropped bombs, but refused to comment on the casualty details. 11 Sri Lankan soldiers were admitted to Trincomalee hospital according to press reports. Sri Lankan forces surrounding the Sri Lanka Navy headquarters along Trincomalee harbour continuously fired towards the sky for about half an hour following the attack, locals said. They confirmed hearing heavy explosions inside the harbour and the naval base and seeing vehicles rushing to the hospital. Some residents said they heard an explosion from the Trincomalee harbour after an object moved over the harbour by air. Thereafter Sri Lankan forces started firing towards the sky targeting the object, they said. At the time of going to print, the LTTE had yet to comment on the attack.
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