Appeared on defence.lk  (21/01/2010)

The present Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had explicitly and efficiently provided fighter jets to the Air Force at a time when it was difficult to secure them.

The Director Aeronautical Engineering of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Jayanath Kumarasiri made this revelation when the case filed against the Sunday Leader newspaper was taken up yesterday. Attorney At Law Ali Sabry said the Engineer gave evidence when the case filed against the Sunday Leader by Defence Secretary was taken up for hearing . He clarified that until the present Defence Secretary assumed office in 2005, the condition of the fighter jets in the Air Force was in a pathetic state, and not a single available fighter jet was usable.

He further said that Air Force Chiefs on various occasions had informed the former Defence Secretaries about the impossibility of launching operations. But nothing came right until Gotabaya Rajapaksa took over office.

As the plaintiff of the case, the Defence Secretary took the initiative to repair three MIG fighter jets after discussion with Ukraine and without any involvement of middlemen. He pointed out that these fighter jets played a pivotal role in killing LTTE political wing leader Thamil Selvam. He emphasized that no irregularities took place in the purchase of these MIG fighter jets. He gave this evidence submitting the necessary documents.

The Attorney said that accordingly the case against the Sunday Leader will continue as that article published by the newspaper had defamed the Defence Secretary. Mr. Sabry observed that this is the first time in Sri Lanka's history that a case is being continued despite the acceptance of guiltiness by the defence.

Courtesy : Government Information Department