May 05, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy exhumed several parts of an airplane that crashed into the northern sea after a rebel missile attack 15 years ago.
Several pieces including the parts believed to be of the engine and of the fuselage were exhumed yesterday.
Two ships, seven boats and around 30 divers of Sri Lanka Navy are engaged in the operation. The operation will continue today.
The exhumation of the debris commenced after several months of delay following the discovery of the wreckage in the sea bed by the Navy divers after police Terrorism Investigation Department provided the information based on a statement made by a former LTTE cadre who is now in custody.
A former Tamil rebel confessed to the Police Terrorist Investigations Division that the Antonov 26 was shot down by a missile attack of the Tamil Tiger terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
The ill-fated Lion Air flight 602 from Palaly to Ratmalana carrying 48 civilians and 8 crew including two Ukrainian pilots went missing on September 29, 1998 over the Iranativu Island.
Archaeological Department, National Aquatic Resources Agency, Sri Lanka Air Force and Civil Aviation Department also provide assistance in the operation.
