Maiden Landing at New Kilinochchi Airstrip
9:32pm on Wednesday 20th July 2011
A Y12 aircraft of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) made the inaugural landing at the newly constructed airstrip located in Kilinochchi, a former LTTE stronghold. The landing took place today (July 19, 2011) by an SLAF Y-12 Aircraft piloted by Wing Commander Sarika Aranayake and Squadron Leader Dharshana Dias in the presence of the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama.
The SF Commander Killinochchi, Major General Nandana Udawatte and the Commanding Officer Iranamadu Wing Commander Haily Rupasinghe were also present on the occassion.
The new airstrip which is situated approximately 7 Kms East of the A-9 road and approximately 1 KM away from SF Head Quarters Kilinochchi, was developed from a cleared patch which, it is reported ,the LTTE used as a training area. The airstrip is approximately 1Km long and will facilitate the landing of light aircraft.
The new airstrip, to be referred to as the Kilinochchi Airstrip, will enable the SLAF’s Helitours to carry out routine commercial flights to Kilinochchi from the Ratmalana Air Base.
The introductory price of a one way ticket will be Rs. 7500.00.
The airstrip was developed by the Commanding Officer of SLAF Unit Iranamadu in close coordination with the Directorate of Civil Engineering utilizing the services of the Rapid Runway Repair Wing of the SLAF.
Meanwhile the bigger and longer airstrip at SLAF Unit Iranamadu, which had been previously used by the LTTE, is also presently to be reconstructed to an extent which will enable larger aircraft to land.
The SF Commander Killinochchi, Major General Nandana Udawatte and the Commanding Officer Iranamadu Wing Commander Haily Rupasinghe were also present on the occassion.
The new airstrip which is situated approximately 7 Kms East of the A-9 road and approximately 1 KM away from SF Head Quarters Kilinochchi, was developed from a cleared patch which, it is reported ,the LTTE used as a training area. The airstrip is approximately 1Km long and will facilitate the landing of light aircraft.
The new airstrip, to be referred to as the Kilinochchi Airstrip, will enable the SLAF’s Helitours to carry out routine commercial flights to Kilinochchi from the Ratmalana Air Base.
The introductory price of a one way ticket will be Rs. 7500.00.
The airstrip was developed by the Commanding Officer of SLAF Unit Iranamadu in close coordination with the Directorate of Civil Engineering utilizing the services of the Rapid Runway Repair Wing of the SLAF.
Meanwhile the bigger and longer airstrip at SLAF Unit Iranamadu, which had been previously used by the LTTE, is also presently to be reconstructed to an extent which will enable larger aircraft to land.
