As already mentioned, in May 1995 the SLAF was granted the US-permission to acquire IAI Kfir C.2 fighter-bombers from Israel: on 1 January 1996 the No.10 Squadron was activated, and seven days later it received the first two Kfir C.2s single-seaters and one TC.2 two-seater. Two additional C.2s arrived in April. The unit was based in Katunayake AB and was immediately rushed into extensive strikes against LTTE bases and positions. The type proved relatively expensive to operate, while limited in regards to amount of weapons it could carry on a single mission. Consequently, the SLAF was searching for a fighter-bomber with greater combat persistence.
....
Despite delivery of MiG-27s, the SLAF continued purchasing Kfirs as well, in order to diversify its sources. In December 2000 four additional C.2s arrived, and Sri Lanka then ordered four C.7s as well, which went through an extensive overhaul at IAI Lahav Division before delivery
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_336.shtml
- "AIR WARS AND AIRCRAFT; A Detailed Record of Air Combat, 1945 to the Present", by Victor Flintham, Arms and Armour Press, 1989
- "THE WORLD IN CONFLICT; Contemporary Warfare Described and Analysed, War Annual 7", by John Laffin, Brassey's, 1996 (ISBN: 1-85753-196-5)
- Different articles in AirForces Monthly, AirInternational and Combat Aircraft magazines, as well as related press-reports from news agencies including Reuters, CNN, BBC etc.
