Airforce on standby to airlift Covid-19 patients if necessary: New Airforce chief

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

Sri Lanka Air Force is prepared to facilitate airlifting Covid-19 patients to hospitals if required, newly appointed Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana said. He said special teams had been already deployed and are on standby to assist anytime if the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 requires its services.

“Aircrafts have been stationed and ready. Covid-19 patients cannot be airlifted as other passengers as it requires special teams with protection kits,” he said.

The commander said the Air Force also currently maintains five quarantine centres in the country.