2011-10-02(China Military News cited from colombopage.com)
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) received two Xian MA 60 passenger aircraft from China Friday to be used for passenger transport by its commercial arm Helitours, the Air Force announced.
The aircraft were delivered at a ceremony held at the Ratmalana Air Base under the patronage of Wang Jian Feng, first Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama.
Sri Lanka has reportedly purchased the aircraft from China with the help of a Chinese government preferred loan scheme.
The two 56-passenger MA60 twin engine turboprop aircraft made by China's Xian Aircraft Industrial Corporation are civil registered and to be used for domestic flights by Helitours.
The peace-time Sri Lankan Air Force hopes to use the aircraft to expand its passenger flight service to regional destinations as well.
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