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My helicopter not for rescue mission - Sajin

14 June 2013 02:12 pm - 41     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Sajin Vass Gunawardene said today his helicopter did not have the capability to carry out rescue operations.

He said this in response to a statement made by United National Party (UNP) MP Wijedasa Rajapaksa that Mr. Gunawardene had not provided a helicopter to be used in rescue operations last Saturday when the deadly cyclone hit the Balapitiya coastal belt.

He described Mr. Rajapaksa as a learned self-proclaimed legal luminary who was unaware that only twin-engine helicopters with the doors and other obstacle removed that could handle rescue operations.  

Mr. Gunawardene said any helicopter that operates under a civil operating licence was not permitted to fly unless specific approval was obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka while special equipment had to be also installed.

He said the only institution in Sri Lanka that was currently permitted by the CAA to undertake such rescue missions was the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Mr. Gunawardene said in adverse weather conditions like strong winds, rain and lack of visibility, small single engine helicopters could not fly.

He asked Mr. Rajapaksa to help them by contributing funds to improve the livelihood of the affected families. “I have organized a ‘Livelihood sustenance programme effective immediately,” he said.“It is very easy for people such as Wijedasa Rajapaksa to keep criticising but let us see whether he will put his money where his mouth is.”

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  Comments - 41

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  • KaluSudha Saturday, 15 June 2013 03:53 PM

    ure copter?????????????? whose money?????????????????

    iNCOME TAX LOKKA Saturday, 15 June 2013 10:57 AM

    COULD YOU PLEASE FILE YOUR CORRECT INCOME FOR THE YEAR 2012 AND 2013 SOTHAT WE CAN CALCULATE YOUR TAXES , PLEASE !

    Nalin Saturday, 15 June 2013 11:13 AM

    Daya gamage have many helicopters ,and there are so many operators , not only cosmos,

    Ranjit Saturday, 15 June 2013 11:22 AM

    Professor, what are you talking. Its people's money.

    rohan Saturday, 15 June 2013 12:02 PM

    He worked for trico in Dubai as a office boy and now he owns a helicopter,

    rohan Saturday, 15 June 2013 12:10 PM

    I worked foir many years in Dubai but hard to live and the person went from here working for 06 months having a helicopter, Where is our income tax department

    rohan Saturday, 15 June 2013 12:17 PM

    Where he maintains his helicopter, from where he get the spare parts, who are the certifying staff,

    Sam Saturday, 15 June 2013 12:32 PM

    Utter nonsense. Any helicopter can carry anyone - injured or not.
    his is owned by the state and should be used for citizens' welfare.

    Krishna Saturday, 15 June 2013 01:09 PM

    From where you got that money to buy a chopper?Are you that rich.

    MATHU Saturday, 15 June 2013 01:42 PM

    Peoples are talking about Politician AND not business Men

    Andrew Pitugala Saturday, 15 June 2013 01:48 PM

    Mihinair produced a Helicopter and many other benefits.

    BitterTruth Saturday, 15 June 2013 10:45 AM

    He owns 2 Helicopters a single engine training aircraft and a multi engine training aircraft. Recently a multi engine corporate jet was also spotted in the Cosmos Aviation Hanger he owns. This is Sri Lanka.

    John Saturday, 15 June 2013 04:31 PM

    Do Inland Revenue know of this tycoon who can afford to buy helicopters with his govt salary????

    Andrzeja Saturday, 15 June 2013 06:25 PM

    Also wonder who is paying for fuel and maintenance?

    kithudugamakitud Saturday, 15 June 2013 07:22 PM

    I just want to buy a chopper to pluck coconuts.

    Indralatha Manawadu Saturday, 15 June 2013 09:42 PM

    This man is not ashamed of anything, it will help if he can disclose how did he earn money whilst being and MP. They sacked former cheif justice why this government ask this guy to disclose his wealth including the value of helicopter and how he earned them.

    Indralatha Manawadu Saturday, 15 June 2013 09:44 PM

    He has earned it without causing stealing any public money Ha! Ha! Ha !

    sagara Sunday, 16 June 2013 05:38 AM

    Mihin lanka hora gediya

    EY Sunday, 16 June 2013 06:36 AM

    One of the biggest thief in SL , I don’t know why Rajapaksha so like these kind of people

    meranchi Sunday, 16 June 2013 08:23 AM

    only leisure trip private do't mind.....i

    Surasena Sunday, 16 June 2013 01:37 PM

    Well Mr Sajin. Mr Wijedasa Rajapaksa didn't work for Mihin.

    Minan Saturday, 15 June 2013 05:44 AM

    Ah! you have a helicopter also? Can you declare to the public how you got it. May be some more government VIPs have their own helicopters.

    Nishan Friday, 14 June 2013 12:00 AM

    Yeah. This helicopter is an offspring of Mihin via DM Android App

    Kondebedapucheena Friday, 14 June 2013 02:51 PM

    My Helicopter ??????????????????????????

    Porky Pig Friday, 14 June 2013 02:56 PM

    You can sell your helicopters and then help the people. Why are you asking Mr.Wijedasa Rajapaksa to help.

    zara Friday, 14 June 2013 12:00 AM

    you can get more details from Sajeen waas, regarding helicopter. via DM Android App

    pat Saturday, 15 June 2013 12:00 AM

    bought from Mihin air money. via DM Android App

    Doctor Saturday, 15 June 2013 12:00 AM

    how the hell does he have money to buy a helicopter ... its high time legislations are passed that will require all ministers to make their income available for public. via DM Android App

    Minister Saturday, 15 June 2013 05:13 AM

    As a public servant, has he declared his assets to the Parliament?

    philip Saturday, 15 June 2013 05:13 AM

    At least you could have offered your helicopter for search operations instead of rescue operations.

    faz Saturday, 15 June 2013 05:27 AM

    just one helicopter with all the billions lost in mihin air.

    Dr.so and so Friday, 14 June 2013 02:47 PM

    I didn't know that there are privately owned helicopters in Sri Lanka. Can somebody tell me whether I can buy one.? My monthly salary is 7500 rupees.

    sobers Saturday, 15 June 2013 06:04 AM

    very soon Politicians children will travel in helicopters to their schools.

    PEACELOVER Saturday, 15 June 2013 06:26 AM

    these vaas gunawardanas big shame for the country!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Nimal Leanage Saturday, 15 June 2013 06:41 AM

    Government MP's can afford to keep private hellicopters. While the comman man find it difficult to bear up the cost of living.

    Kalu Malli Saturday, 15 June 2013 08:25 AM

    miracle of asia

    Prof Wickramatillake Saturday, 15 June 2013 08:39 AM

    Money, from where??

    Mokka Rala Saturday, 15 June 2013 08:39 AM

    My Helicopter..But paid for and funded by what means???Guess whom I lick and am friends with ....!!!

    Ravi Saturday, 15 June 2013 08:53 AM

    Sajin owns a Helicopter . We cant even afford a bullock cart. . How did he become so mighty rich. Was it after he bankrupted Mihin Air when he was boss.

    T. Nizam Rahim Saturday, 15 June 2013 09:23 AM

    why worry about his helicopter. People have forgotten, Latec Boss Ravi Wettasinghe has his own Jet

    Magodiya Saturday, 15 June 2013 10:26 AM

    you must not have declared under Declaration of Assets law ? will the Bribery investigate into this?


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