The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has requested the cooperation of the public when operating drones in areas affected by the ongoing disaster situation, warning that unregulated drone operations during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions pose a significant risk to air operations conducted by the SLAF and other response agencies.
Issuing a statement, the SLAF said that the presence of drones, whether authorized or unauthorized, in active airspace can interfere with flight paths, disrupt critical rescue and relief missions and may lead to tragic aircraft accidents.
Such incidents endanger the lives of aircrew members, jeopardize valuable air assets and place people on the ground at serious risk, it said.
To ensure the safety and efficiency of all ongoing HADR air operations, the SLAF has appealed to the public to adhere to the following requests;
. Refrain from operating drones in areas where SLAF aircraft or other response aircraft are engaged in relief missions.
. Inform the SLAF of all drone take-off and landing times, whether authorized or unauthorized, before conducting any drone operations by contacting:
- General Lines: 0112343970 / 0112343971
- Hotline: 115
The SLAF added that the public’s cooperation is essential to safeguard lives and ensure uninterrupted air operations during this critical period. (Newswire)