US fleet in Indian Ocean, did not violate SL airspace
August 9, 2011 02:02 pm
The US today stated that none of its aircraft nor its aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan, approached Sri Lanka’s territorial sea or airspace.
However the US embassy in Sri Lanka claimed that the aircraft carrier, with accompanying ships, recently transited the Indian Ocean returning to the Pacific.
“It conducted routine flight operations during the transit through waters beyond the territorial sea of any State.”
“At no time did the USS Ronald Reagan or its aircraft approach Sri Lanka’s territorial sea or airspace.” an embassy release stated.
“U.S. naval aircraft operate with due regard for the safety of civil aviation.”
“Recent press reports indicate that the Sri Lankan Air Force, which monitors a large Flight Identification Region that extends beyond Sri Lanka’s territorial airspace, monitored the transit and the routine operations of the carrier’s aircraft.”
“Responding to a request for information, the Chargé on August 2 informed the Minister of External Affairs that the transit had occurred, and the Defense Attaché’s Office was in full communication with the Ministry of Defence that same evening.” it further read.
Sri Lanka had previously alleged that a squadron of 10 US fighter jets had violated its airspace and had registered its protest with the American Embassy in Colombo over the issue.
However the US embassy in Sri Lanka claimed that the aircraft carrier, with accompanying ships, recently transited the Indian Ocean returning to the Pacific.
“It conducted routine flight operations during the transit through waters beyond the territorial sea of any State.”
“At no time did the USS Ronald Reagan or its aircraft approach Sri Lanka’s territorial sea or airspace.” an embassy release stated.
“U.S. naval aircraft operate with due regard for the safety of civil aviation.”
“Recent press reports indicate that the Sri Lankan Air Force, which monitors a large Flight Identification Region that extends beyond Sri Lanka’s territorial airspace, monitored the transit and the routine operations of the carrier’s aircraft.”
“Responding to a request for information, the Chargé on August 2 informed the Minister of External Affairs that the transit had occurred, and the Defense Attaché’s Office was in full communication with the Ministry of Defence that same evening.” it further read.
Sri Lanka had previously alleged that a squadron of 10 US fighter jets had violated its airspace and had registered its protest with the American Embassy in Colombo over the issue.