AG to make submissions to Court on Aeroflot matter

The Attorney General (AG) is scheduled to make submissions to the Colombo Commercial High Court on affected third parties including the country’s tourism industry following the enjoining order issued by the Court preventing the Russian Aeroflot flight from leaving the country.

The Colombo Commercial High Court issued an enjoining order last week preventing the Russian Aeroflot flight Airbus A330 from leaving Sri Lanka until 16th of this month after hearing a complaint filed by Celestial Aviation Trading Limited in Ireland. 

A court hearing to lift the seizure of the aircraft is scheduled for June 8.
Addressing a press conference in Colombo yesterday, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva assured that the government is taking  necessary action within the framework of law to deescalate the development while respecting the independence of the judiciary.

“Within the framework of law, Attorney General will go to Court tomorrow to make representation as there were so many third parties who were affected as a result of the enjoining order, from passengers, to economy of the country, to tourism industry etc.,” he said.

Following the court order, Russia suspended commercial operations of its flagship carrier, Aeroflot, to Sri Lanka.

Russia remains key source market for Sri Lanka tourism and Aeroflot was the only scheduled carrier operating between Colombo and Moscow.(NF)