KARUNA SHINSHO, CNN ANCHOR: Sri Lanka's government is assembling a high-level committee to oversee security at its international airport. Top officials from the armed forces and aviation are looking at tactics, to prevent a repeat of last month's crippling rebel attack. Iqbal Athas reports.</s>IQBAL ATHAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sri Lanka's government is negotiating with several countries for expertise to enhance security at the Colombo International Airport. Among the countries from whom help is sought government officials say are Canada, the United States, Germany, Israel, and the United Kingdom. The move follows the devastating attack by Tamil Tiger rebels on the air force base and the adjoining international airport on July 24. The attack destroyed eight air force aircraft and three Airbusses. The three were damaged, immobilizing half the fleet of national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines. Several governments, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany have advised their nationals to avoid travel to Sri Lanka. Thursday the United Kingdom updated their advisory warning to their nationalists to not transit through the capital of Colombo. Most British tourists stop over here before boarding connecting flights to neighboring Maldives. Large-scale cancellation of booking to Sri Lanka by European travel operators have added to the nation's deteriorating economy. The rebel attacks nine days ago, military officials here confirm, were in retaliation for a series of air raids conducted by the air force on rebel targets in the north. It came in the midst of initiatives by the government to bring the warring factions to the negotiating tables. Since the attack on the air base and the international airport airport, air force jets have begun bombing rebel targets in the north and east. These area sorties have fueled fears that the rebels may retaliate again, bringing back memories of the bitter fighting last year. Iqbal Athas, for CNN, Colombo.
Following Disabling Rebel Attack, Sri Lanka Assembles Airport Security Committee