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| Sunday, 4 January 2004 |
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India to refurbish Palali airbase by ANTON NONIS A complete refurbishment of the Palali airbase in Jaffna peninsula by
the Indian government is on the verge getting off the grounds Air
Marshall, Donald Perera told the `Sunday Observer' yesterday. The Air
Force commander said the feedback by the Indian authorities so Renovations to the airport would be mainly include resurfacing of the runway which measures 7500 feet in length and 240 feet width. Commander Perera said that the runway was not in good condition for the landing of aircraft as one side was terribly uneven. He said that even under these conditions, the airport was still in use as there was no other alternative for the landing of planes. The most dangerous period had been during the past 20-years when the airport was in frequent use. Aeronautical engineers have indicated that landing of planes on uneven surfaces caused large scale damage to the engines, which could be repaired only at high cost. According to Group Captain, Ajantha Silva, this form of expenditure had been a frequent occurrence. Representatives of the Indian Air Force have already visited Sri Lanka and have carried out joint surveys of the runway at Palali with the officers of the Road Development Authority (RDA). The estimated cost of refurbishment Rs.280 million. Though the Indian assistance was mainly for the upgrading of the runway, they went a step further, when it was realised that even the drainage system needed to be rebuilt. According to Commander Perera, the additional work on the drainage system would cost another Rs.200 million. The authorities are hopeful of completing both the work on the runway and the drainage system, within six months. Asked whether it might be required to shut off the airbase once the repair work starts, Perera said that work will start from one end while the other end would be used for landings and take-offs. "It will enable us to use the airbase without disruption," he said. However, it is believed the Air Force might not be able to do the same number of sorties that are being carried at present. Helicopters would be used to a greater extent on all those occasions. The Air Force does about six flights (planes) from Ratmalana to Palali and back, daily, while there are also six helicopter flights from Vavuniya to Palali. The types of planes flown include C130, AN32 and the helicopters used include MI17 type. Sri Lankan authorities have inferred that Indian assistance on the airbase will go a long way in strengthening defence ties between the two countries. Palali airbase serves as the lifeline of defence of the entire Northern region. The whole issue was the outcome of a recent visit by Lieutenant General, Lionel Balagalle to India. The proposal was forwarded to the Indian authorities, who readily accepted to assist Sri Lanka on this matter. |
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far had
been extremely good and that the work would begin anytime this month as
soon as the Indian High Commission gives the go ahead.
