Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has had a narrow escape from death while in Sri Lanka, from the air crash in Hokandara that claimed four lives.
The ill-fated Antonov aircraft had been sent from Trincomalee to Colombo especially to take back Sinawatra and his four-member delegation to Trincomalee.
He had arrived in Katunayakee with his delegation for a special task early morning on that day. They were due to be taken back by helicopter, but the pilot had refused to fly due to heavy mist. The Air Force helicopter landed at Ratmalana and the Antonov aircraft which is capable of flying over mist, was sent to take the VIPs back.
That aircraft crashed as it was readying to land at Ratmalana. Once the mist dwindled towards the afternoon, Shinawatra and his team left for the Trincomalee navy camp by the same air force helicopter.
They are staying at the navy headquarters lodge specially built for president’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa, say navy sources. This area is out-of-bounds for naval ratings. The ex-Thai premier has stayed there on several previous occasions too, say the sources.
According to our sources in the air force, Shinawatra is taken by special flight from Katunayake to either Trincomalee or Nuwara Eliya without any emigration and immigration checks whenever he visits the island.
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