21st Century
In 2000 new aircraft were acquired apart from the additions of Kfir C.7's & Mi-35s, these included six Mikoyan MiG-27 of ground attack, a MiG-23UB trainer and two C-130 Hercules for heavy transport. Six K-8 Karakorum trainers were soon added creating the No. 14 Squadron to train pilots for the newly expanded fleet of jets.
On 24 July 2001, Thirteen aircraft including two Kfir jet fighters, one MI-24 Helicopter gun ship and one MIG-27- jet fighter were destroyed in the predawn attack on the Katunayake air base, about 35 km. north of Colombo by the LTTE.Three military trainee planes and five civilian jets were also among the destroyed aircraft. Much of these aircraft were replaced.
Sri Lanka's airport has remained on alert for a repeat of the 2001 attack, with severe restrictions on the number of people allowed into the terminal buildings. Huge walls were also built around the terminals and the control towers to prevent impact from car bomb attacks, while a large number of sentries were placed along the approach roads to the facility. All airports including the Katunayake International airport is guarded by members of the SLAF Regiment.
Read more about this topic: History Of The Sri Lanka Air Force