Fighter jets are necessary: Amunugama

11 August 2016 05:20 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Special Assignment Minister Sarath Amunugama today justified the government’s decisions to purchase eight multirole fighter jets to upgrade the Sri Lanka Air Force fleet.

While addressing a media briefing at the SLFP headquarters, the Minister said the minimum number of eight fighter jets was a request made by the Air Force.

“Some may say there is no requirement to purchase fighter jets at the moment. But I disagree. As one of three forces, Air Force must be combat ready and it is required to update the fleet to maintain the oceanic security and to face any unexpected threat. They have to do their rehearsals to keep them up to date with their tactics.

For that, we should make a suitable environment for the pilots,” he said responding to a journalist.

“Most of the fighter jets that we have had been used during the war and therefore, the air force had requested eight fighter jets, the Minister said.

“The issues we have due to obtaining loans will not be solved only because new jets were added to the fleet. The loan amount we have to pay is increasing. We cannot continue to toy with the previous government’s loans. We will be paying the loans at some point,” he said.

The proposal to purchase multirole fighter jets and associated weapons, made by President Maithripala Sirisena in his capacity as the Minister of Defence, was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday. (Chaturanga Pradeep)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 14

Silva Thursday, 11 August 2016 05:33 PM

Country is bankrupt it seems but we can find money for this!!! What a joke! where are your priorities!? Sort out the mess before spending on fighter jets!

broker Thursday, 11 August 2016 06:29 PM

yeah they are... otherwise we dont have money in our account in swiss banks.

Cobra Thursday, 11 August 2016 07:04 PM

Ok but is it a priority?

Harry Thursday, 11 August 2016 07:09 PM

I guess either obliging a promise made at the election time with the supportive big brother or some getting thumping kick-backs! Why it is necessary at this moment? Are we expecting a war?

Henry Thursday, 11 August 2016 07:12 PM

Aney Anichchang! Yddeta nethi kaduwa kos kotannada?

Iran Kiloshana Thursday, 11 August 2016 08:03 PM

Mr.minister with much of difficulty what you are tring to point out is a future investment.For it to be a real investment, go for something lwell combat tested like Mig 29's,Rafale,Gripen or F 16s atleast rather than wasting our tax money on Indian or pakistani "kurumbetti"!

Unchikun Thursday, 11 August 2016 09:06 PM

Yes, Sir we need jets. May I also suggest we also but rockets and put a man on the moon. The VAT can always be increased to meet this essential demands.

CitizenPerera Thursday, 11 August 2016 09:14 PM

Politicians have a strong craving to steal from the country by illegal commissions and kick backs. Therefore, the need to purchase fighter jets is a justification to feather their political nests is nothing new.

Ratnapala Thursday, 11 August 2016 09:39 PM

Security and defense capabilities of our country should not be compromised or sacrificed by the SL Government at any time. We have been bankrupt since 1953.

Ramakrishna Thursday, 11 August 2016 09:43 PM

GOSL must go ahead and purchase these fighter jets as planned. It is absolutely necessary to protect and defend the citizens from North to South and East to West.

Hiran Friday, 12 August 2016 11:04 AM

If you all use these fighter jets at any point you will have to answer at the UN via DM iOS App

Aruna Friday, 12 August 2016 12:23 PM

Why war jets? Now we are in "international Sanhindiyawa"!

nan Friday, 12 August 2016 12:54 PM

a new member joining the panama papers

waco Friday, 12 August 2016 04:38 PM

Buy Fighter Jets from Japan, China, France, Russia or USA.Sri Lankan Air Force need them.Do not buy garbage due to any pressure.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Fighter jets are necessary: Amunugama

Comments - 14

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

April 15 declared a government holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES