'No transport' for injured soldiers
The main opposition in Sri Lanka has accused the government of not providing proper transport facilities to injured soldiers in the Vanni battlefield.
Leader of the opposition and the United National Party (UNP), Ranil Wickramasinghe, told journalists in Colombo that Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) does not have enough airplanes to transfer injured soldiers. The SLAF was not given enough funds to repair seven Antonov aircrafts it had and as a result the SLAF currently has only two aircrafts, he said. “They have only one Antonov plane and one C130. This is not a secret; SLAF knows and the Tigers also know that,” he said. Mihin Air When SLAF officials requested funding for repairs, Mr. Wickramasinghe said, it was rejected by the authorities. “One official has asked why no funds for the SLAF while providing funds for Mihin Air. Now some of those officials were removed from those departments,” he said. He also accused the government of imposing taxes on the public using the war as an excuse. The government, however, denied the accusations. Describing the accusations as 'false', Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the government has provided enough funds for security forces. “The ultimate authority for needs of the SLAF is the SLAF commander. The government has provided everything he has requested,” he told BBC Sandeshaya. The minister added that the government has allocated over Rs. 200 billion in 2008 for the needs of the security forces.