News

Why is the Indian Airforce Target drone in Trinco?

Published

4 weeks ago

December 28, 2024

editor

A special defence team has been appointed to investigate after an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), believed to be a target drone belonging to the Indian Air Force, was discovered by a group of fishermen in the sea off Trincomalee. The drone was found approximately 35 nautical miles off the coast.

Air Force Media spokesman Group Captain Eranda Geeganage confirmed that the object is a target drone typically used by defence forces during training exercises. He said that Sri Lanka does not possess any such aircraft.

The spokesman clarified that the drone posed no threat and contained no explosives. He also noted that a similar type of aircraft had been found in 2020.

The UAV, weighing 50 kg and measuring 8 feet in length, was retrieved by seven fishermen near the Talapada estuary in August 2020. It had likely been tested at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur.

At the time, ITR Chandipur director Binay Kumar Das explained that the testing was part of a routine exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force and urged that there was no cause for concern. “It was a scheduled exercise by the Indian Air Force at Chandipur. The remotely piloted target aircraft, called expendable aircraft, is disposed of in the water after use. It’s essentially an empty fiber body, so recovery is not usual,” he said.

The drone in question is a Meggitt BTT-3 Banshee, originally developed by the British in the 1980s for air defence systems training. Constructed mainly from composite materials like Kevlar and glass-reinforced plastic, the Banshee features a tailless delta wing design and was first used by the British Army for training with shoulder-launched missiles such as the Short Blowpipe and Javelin.

(DailyMirror)

Except for the headline, this story, originally published by DailyMirror has not been edited by SLM staff

BIZ

Adani denies cancellation of power purchase deal with SL

Published

8 hours ago

January 24, 2025

editor

India’s Adani Group has denied the cancellation of its $440 million power purchase deal with Sri Lanka, terming the reports as “false and misleading”.
The media statement notes that “the Sri Lankan Cabinet’s decision of 2 Jan 2025 to reevaluate the tariff approved in May 2024 is part of a standard review process, particularly with a new government, to ensure that the terms align with their current priorities and energy policies.”

“Adani remains committed to investing $1 billion in Sri Lanka’s green energy sector, driving renewable energy and economic growth,” it adds.

The media statement comes after the AFP reported that the new Sri Lankan government has revoked a power purchase agreement with Indian conglomerate Adani Group following allegations of corruption.

The deal had initially approved to purchase electricity at US$0.0826 per kilowatt hour from the proposed Adani wind power plant, which is to be built in the Northern region of Sri Lanka.

Several activists had challenged the agreement, arguing that smaller renewable projects were selling electricity at two-thirds the price of Adani, the AFP had further reported.
In addition, the project is also facing separate environmental concerns.

While President Dissanayake’s cabinet has revoked the 20-year deal power purchase deal signed in May 2024, it has not cancelled the project and has appointed a committee to review the project, the AFP reported, citing an official document and an energy ministry official.

News

Swiss govt. pledges support to reclaim SL assets held abroad

Published

10 hours ago

January 24, 2025

editor

The Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Ambassador designate to the Maldives, Dr. Siri Walt, has assured Switzerland’s support in recovering assets that have been moved out of Sri Lanka.

During discussions, Ambassador Walt provided guidance on the international measures required for reclaiming such assets and expressed Switzerland’s readiness to extend support whenever necessary by providing essential resources and assistance.

Ambassador Walt made these remarks during a meeting held today (Jan. 24) at the Presidential Secretariat with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The discussion also focused on utilizing Switzerland’s expertise and technical knowledge to assist Sri Lanka’s on-going anti-corruption initiatives. The Swiss government reiterated its commitment to providing technical and financial support for Sri Lanka’s priority programs, including the “Clean Sri Lanka” program.

The Ambassador additionally expressed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in addressing social challenges, promoting national reconciliation, and assisting with the development of the Northern region through necessary aid and resources.

The meeting was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage.

(President’s Media Division)