Maiden landing at New Kilinochchi Airstrip

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 yesterday (19).

The aircraft piloted by Wing Commander  Sarika Aranayake and Squadron Leader Dharshana Dias landed at the Kilinochchi airstrip in the presence of  the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama. The SLAF Commander Kilinochchi, Major General Nandana Udawatte and the Commanding Officer Iranamadu Wing Commander Haily Rupasinghe were also present on the occasion.

The new airstrip which is situated approximately 7 kms east of the A-9 road and approximately 1 km away from SLAF Head Quarters Kilinochchi, was developed from a cleared patch which, was reportedly used by the LTTE 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 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. The airstrip was developed by the Commanding Officer of SLAF Unit Iranamadu in coordination with the Directorate of Civil Engineering utilising 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 to be reconstructed to an extent which will enable larger aircraft to land.