Panic after air attacks on Sri Lankan capital

COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan capital was enveloped in "total panic" early on Sunday as Tamil Tiger air attacks and unexpected early fireworks forced World Cup cricket fans to flee their parties for safety.   

Fans dressed in Sri Lankan team T-shirts and carrying the national flag had earlier braved the rain to gather in their hundreds at playgrounds, clubs, hotels and bars showing live coverage of the match on giant screens.   

However, the loud music, singing and dancing came to an abrupt end after the city was plunged into darkness as anti-aircraft batteries opened fire on Tamil Tiger aircraft that entered the city's airspace and carried out two bombings.   

"It was total panic. We initially thought it was fireworks," said Zaithoon Bin Ahamed, who was partying with friends at a Colombo rugby club.   

People scrambled to leave venues as troops manning key positions in the capital lit up the night sky with a massive barrage of anti-aircraft fire that shook homes and caused panic, residents said.  

Event organisers at open-air venues shut down their giant screens, fearing the illumination would attract the attention of the intruding aircraft.   

"Rumours were going around that a plane was shot down and the port was bombed. The phone lines were jammed," said Chamath Ariyadasa.  

"Organisers were asking people to stay calm, but people were getting nervous over the constant sound of gun fire. No one really knew what was going on," said Kamini Edward, who was following the game from a city hotel.    

Authorities had earlier responded to reports of approaching rebel planes by switching off the electricity supply to the capital as millions of Sri Lankans watched their side play Australia in the cricket World Cup final.   

"The military response to Tigers flying two planes was to fire guns everywhere and panic everybody," said Indika Aponso.   

While millions of fans were left in darkness, the national side crashed to an embarrassing defeat to three-times world champions Australia.   

"After so much hype about Sri Lanka winning, we lost to the best side in the world so cheaply," said Ranjan Kumarapathirana, who followed the game with friends at home.   

"It was like living a bad dream. First the aerial bombings, the second time this week, and now a mauling by the Aussies," Kumarapathirana said.   

"Hereafter, a power blackout is going to be routine. It will be interesting to see how the foreign investments and economy respond to this," said marketing executive Charitri Ambagahawita.   

Hours before the match started, Sri Lankans were stocking up on snacks, soft drinks, ice cream and liquor, with supermarkets, grocery and wine stores reporting brisk sales.   

Cricket is hugely popular in Sri Lanka and is seen as one of the few unifying elements that cut through political and ethnic lines, amid escalating fighting between state troops and Tamil Tiger rebels.   

Sri Lanka's state-run television station said more than 14 million of the island's 19.5 million population were expected to watch the live broadcast of the finals.