Rajapaksa facing uphill task before Commonwealth summit
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Two giant Russian Antonov 124 transport planes touched down this week at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), taxied in the opposite direction towards the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) base apron instead of the passenger terminal building to unload the heavy cargo in their bellies.
They were six Mi 171 helicopters; part of a fleet of 14 Russia is giving to Sri Lanka under a 2010 credit line for US$ 350 million. Some US$ 200 million from the credit still remains for other purchases.
Each An-124 strategic airlift jet carried three helicopters in knocked-down condition. Of the six, two are Mi 171-E VIP versions and will be for the President’s fleet. They have been specially configured to carry eight passengers plus crew and are equipped with satellite communications. The SLAF’s aging VIP fleet has often forced President Mahinda Rajapaksa to land unannounced in some areas. This was due to technical defects. Four more are Mi 171-Sh versions for military use. Eight other Mi-171 troop transport variants are due for delivery. Russian engineers and technicians have also arrived to assemble the helicopters, carry out test flights and formally hand them over to the SLAF.
