(Jan 2005) Sri Lanka ‘s air force on Saturday detained two unassembled helicopters that arrived with tsunami aid supplies, saying they presented a potential threat to national security.
The Sri Lanka airport says that one of the two special helicopters detected by them was a jet ranger. Certain parts of this helicopter were concealed in small boxes. A permission of the Ministry of Defense and relevant divisions is compulsory to import such helicopters or planes.
The air force has banned the clearing of the helicopter parts which were brought without considering proper procedures. The Sri Lanka air force has launched a comprehensive investigation into this matter claiming that such incidents will be a serious threat to the national security. De Silva said an investigation was underway to find out who had sent the aircraft. `We are still checking from what country they came and for what purpose,” he said. “Until then, they will be held.” De Silva said the Defense Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority must provide clearance for all military equipment brought into the country.
The Tamil Tiger rebels started fighting in 1983 for a separate homeland in Sri Lanka ‘s north and east. Some 65,000 people died in the civil war. A fragile 2002 Norwegian brokered cease fire has held, although peace talks broke down in April 2003. Hopes that the tsunami would bring the two adversaries back to the negotiating table have faded amid bickering over aid deliveries. Each side has accused the other of obstructing deliveries in the conflict zone. More than 200 aircraft from nearly 60 countries have arrived with aid since the Dec. 26 tsunami battered Sri Lanka – ‘s coast killing between 31,000-38,000 people.
source:Yahoo asia