SLAF conducts aerial surveillance to detect illegal migrants by sea
April 15, 2020
With possibility of illegal migrants attempting to enter into Sri Lanka using the global coronavirus pandemic situation, Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has commenced daily aerial surveillance operations to support the Sri Lanka Navy to thwart such illegal entries into the country.
SLAF’s Y-12 aircraft from the No 8 Light Transport Squadron at Ratmalana and from the No 3 Maritime Squadron at SLAF Academy China Bay are being deployed to conduct aerial surveillance on directives of SLAF Commander Air Marshal Sumangala Dias and under the supervision of Director Air Operation Air Vice Marshal Ravi Jayasinghe.
The aircraft, which is used to observe and monitor sea vessels attempting to breach Sri Lanka’s International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), conduct their surveillance operations along the IMBL from Mannar up to Point Pedro.
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Additionally, the SLAF is also conducting routine surveillance operations covering the entire island.
The SLAF, which is conducting its surveillance and monitoring operations by dividing the country into eight main sectors, is utilizing its Y-12 aircraft and Bell 212 helicopters from the No 3 and 8 Squadrons and the No 7 Helicopter Squadron.