COLOMBO, Sept 9: A plane used by the Tamil Tiger rebels was shot down early on Tuesday by the Sri Lankan Air Force, defence authorities confirmed.Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nannayakkara said Air Force fighter jets had shot down a small plane used by the LTTE rudimentary air wing during an attack by the guerillas on a military base in northern Vavuniya.

The rebel attack on the military base came after government fighter jets struck key rebel positions on Monday killing at least 50 Tiger separatists, according to defence ministry sources.

“An LTTE aircraft dropped bombs in Vavuniya early on Tuesday targeting a military camp. Tigers later fired artillery towards the camp and Air Force fighter jets destroyed the aircraft,” Brigadier Nannayakkara said.

Meanwhile, a military source said radars had indicated that at least three light aircrafts had been used by the rebels in an artillery barrage which lasted for over one hour. However, according to military officials, no damages or loss of lives were reported.

AFP adds: The United Nations announced on Tuesday it was withdrawing its aid workers from Sri Lanka’s embattled north ahead of a major military onslaught, as rebels denied one of its aircraft was shot down.

Only a few aid agencies, including the UN outfits, have still been operating inside the Tamil Tiger-held Wanni district, where government forces are currently pushing to dismantle the guerrillas’ mini state.

“A precise timetable for the complete withdrawal of all staff is yet to be determined, but relocations will begin this week,” the UN said in a statement.