Small aircraft given to Yoshitha by film director

Small aircraft given to Yoshitha by film director

and beer godown of Nishantha located from Narahenpita

An aircraft of small dimensions was found today in an abandoned storeroom at the Narahenpita

Economic Centre this afternoon. The aircraft which had the name 'Lihiniya' on it was a dilapidated one and on a tip off received by police that some people had tried to remove it from that place the police managed to locate the aircraft. Several vehicles belonging to CSN Channel belonging to former President's son Yoshitha Rajapaksha too had been parked in this storeroom and it is understood that the vehicles did belong to Yoshitha. Police began investigations around 7 last evening on the said small aircraft which was in a dilapidated condition. It could carry only 2 persons and a short while later well-known film director Chandram Rutnam who addressed the police said that the aircraft belonged to him and the aircraft which was made in Sri Lanka was in flight about twice and was in his possession and that it had been taken away from him by former President's son Yoshitha. He had also said that it was not fit for flying. However, it was learned that the aircraft was not registered in Sri Lanka.

Civil Aviation sources say that all aircrafts of Sri Lanka should be registered in that Department. Police are conducting investigations to find out how this unregistered aircraft had been used for flying.

It was learned that aircrafts of this type were in possession by the Tiger Movement and it is such aircrafts that have been utilised for releasing bombs from the aircraft. It is not clear whether the aircraft was parked here for some terrorist action or had been meant for entertainment purposes. Police say that investigations are underway to determine this factor. It was also understood that at a location close to Economic Centre of Narahenpita where the aircraft was found, a beer godown (a place where production was in operation and used for storing purposes) too was found. Information have been revealed to police that this beer godown belonged to the present Secretary of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, Mr.Nishantha Ranatunga who at one time was the Chairman of Mihin Lanka.