The bell 412 chopper that transported President Mahinda Rajapakse to Arugambay at around 12.30pm today made an emergency landing after it suddenly ran-out of fuel. It later transpired that the chopper's fuselage was drilled by a few bullets resulting in the said loss of fuel in mid-air. President Rajapakse was not on board the chopper at the time of the incident.
The chopper was shot four times on one of its fuselages using an MPMG while it was flying over Kanjikudichchiaaru in Pottuvil after refueling at Ampara Airforce Base at Uhana. The 412 is used for VIP transport while the 212 is used for troop transport. Incidentally, 7 mortar bombs fell on the Sengamuwa STF camp today morning, fired also from Kanjikudichchiaaru.
Yesterday the 58 and 57 Divisions joined together at Pallimadu to commence the march towards Veduthalthivu. On Saturday, the Sri Lanka Army received a large quantity of arms and ammunition from a friendly country in Eastern Europe.
The stock included a large quantity of 122mm rockets used by RM-70 Czech-made MBRLs and a stock of ammunition and spare parts for BMP series APCs. The sale was secured following a visit last November.
A controversy arose over the procurement of another large stock of RM-70 Rockets a few months ago after a Human Rights group misinterpreted them for guided missiles. The rockets were by then removed from the said country and was later safely received by the Army.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Bell 412 shot in fuselage- Updated
Sri Lanka needs YOU!
Sri Lanka's Armed Forces, Police and Civil Defence Force are engaged in a historic battle, as they fight against one of the most barbaric terrorist movements known to mankind; that has caused immense suffering to a nation that lived in peace and harmony for thousands of years. Their success, while ridding our motherland from terrorism will also set a milestone in the global war on terror, the greatest challenge facing modern civilization.
The Ministry of Defence invites Sri Lankan academics, professionals, technical experts and strategists in all related disciplines and technologies, living in Sri Lanka or any other country, to contribute their knowledge and expertise for the success of this necessary battle.
Our aim is to create a new knowledge base vital for the defeat of terrorism, through a network of committed experts who share our vision: Saving the motherland from terrorism and making sure future generations will live in a single, undivided country, in peace and harmony; moving in unity towards the progress that is the right of all our people.