Media accused of not correcting stories but "govt. needs more time"

Defence Affairs spokesman, minister Keheliya Rambukwella, said the government 'regretted' that 'certain media institutions' intially reported that LTTE attacked Katunayake international airport.

The minister was commenting on the first ever air attacks by Tamil Tigers on the air force base in Katunayake, adjacent to the Colombo international airport.

"It took them one day to correct the news. While correcting also there was no mention that the initial reports were wrong," he told journalists in Colombo.

When questioned whether the government has taken steps to correct initial reports that the attack happened due to faults in radar system supplied by India, the minister said the matter has been dealt by the ministry of foreign affairs.

	The real damage by the attack was not made public by the government

A correction will be issued after investigations into the media reports, he added.

In a meeting with the representatives of the political parties after the attack, Chief of Defence Staff has reportedly accused India of supplying faulty radar equipment, according to Sunday Times.

Journalist Iqbal Athas says Sri Lanka defence officials tried hard to prevent Air Chief Marshall Donald Perera's comments published in the media.

Minister Rambukwella said that a statement in this regard will be issued after thorough investigations and seeking more information from the journalist who wrote the report.