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by Anton Nonis

The Air Force and the Prisons Department appear to be in a collision course over the settlement of Anuruddha Ratwatte's famous helicopter fares.

According to Air Force officials' repeated reminders to the Commissioner General of Prisons to settle the air bill of former Deputy Defence Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte from Colombo to Teldeniya had been ignored. One more reminder, a letter signed by Wing Commander Ajith Wijesundera, is due to be sent this week. All the reminders have been sent with copies to the Interior Ministry.

The Air Force, the `Sunday Observer' learns, is irked over the publicity stunt by the Prisons Department where they've resorted to talking to the media instead of responding to the reminders.

"Why can't they liaise with us directly rather than talking to the media about difficulties in settling the bill," an Air Force official asked. He said the Air Force works on an annual budget and that it could not provide free helicopter rides to anyone whatever his standing was.

The Prisons Department has two options - it can either send a cheque for the air fare charge covering the full cost of the trip or inform the Air Force of its inability to make the payment.

Interior Minister John Amaratunga had refused point blank any payment in this regard.

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