Indian Air Force chief arrives in the country
[08 May 2000]

Indian Air Force chief, Anil Yaswant Tipnis arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday, for a five-day official visit accompanied by a number of Indian Air Force officials, sources said.

According to earlier reports, the Air Chiefs visit was routine and was unrelated to Sri Lanka's call for international assistance against the LTTE in Jaffna and the visit had been scheduled before the Sri Lankan crisis.

However, Indian Premier, Atal Bihari Vajpayee had ruled out arms assistance to Sri Lanka and said last Thursday, " there is no question of sending or selling arms to Sri Lanka, both are ruled out, if the need arises we can for example, send food, medicine and clothes. This is what we visualise".

Meanwhile, BBC reports indicate " the head of the Indian Air Force has visited Sri Lanka amid speculation that his government is ready to provide some logistical support to beleaguered Sri Lankan troops."

Indian military sources on Saturday said the Indian Air Force was awaiting an official green light to air drop humanitarian aid to Sri Lankan soldiers in the Jaffna peninsula, BBC reports confirm.

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India's air force chief on a five day visit to Sri Lanka
05/05/2000