Helicopter rehearses landing at Kandy President’s house premises ahead of AKD’s visit

6 February 2026 09:38 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 5 Bookmark

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By Shane Seneviratne

Colombo, Feb. 6 (Daily Mirror) - A special rehearsal was conducted to assess whether Sri Lanka Air Force helicopters could land on the open ground behind the Kandy President’s House.

Residents of Kandy were somewhat alarmed yesterday morning (05) as Air Force helicopters were seen flying over the city for nearly two hours, prompting many to inquire about the situation.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to visit Kandy today (06), during which he is expected to commence two development projects in the city.

The foundation stone will be laid for the new Mahaiyawa tunnel project, to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 699.9 million, and work will also begin to complete the stalled Getambe flyover project at a cost of 40 million euros.

Security sources confirmed that the Air Force rehearsal was conducted in preparation for landing the helicopter behind the President’s House instead of outside the premises, should the President travel to Kandy by helicopter today (06).

The only President who previously used this open area behind the Kandy President’s House for helicopter landings during visits to Kandy was the first Executive President, J.R. Jayewardene.

Thereafter, all Presidents arriving in Kandy landed their helicopters at the Asgiriya Police Grounds and then proceeded to the President’s House by official vehicle.

Comments - 5

WASN'T THERE A TIME THESE RIDES WERE LOOKED DOWN AS WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE Friday, 06 February 2026 10:40 AM

NOW IT HAS BECOME 2nd NATURE ! !

0 1

Nihal Jayaweera Friday, 06 February 2026 01:07 PM

It's necessary in order to bring down their side kicks...without noticing the general public. NJ

0 1

Nihal Dharmatileke Friday, 06 February 2026 01:26 PM

So what’s in that?

3 0

N.W. Sunday, 08 February 2026 10:06 AM

STILL A DONKEY? GO BACK TO MONTESSORI WITH A BENCH BECAUSE THEY DON'T OFFER CHAIRS AT THE MONTESSORI TO DONKEYS.

0 0

Kandy man Friday, 06 February 2026 01:33 PM

It’s good that president select the helicopter to travel, as his time is very valuable.

3 0

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