Sri Lankan Girl, what a great way to fly
Angels of mercy take wing to bring back 21 Lankans at risk from the China virus
A host of angels were aboard UL Flight 1423 engaged in a Mission of Mercy to bring back 31 Lankan students trapped in the besieged city of Wuhan, facing the ever present danger of contracting the coronavirus now running amok in mainland China.
The SriLankan crew were not mercenaries who had volunteered to risk their lives to fly into infection ridden Wuhan and return with their precious human cargo aboard.
The mercy mission landed safely at Mattala Airport shortly after dawn following its extremely long turnaround flight from Colombo to Wuhan and back. The students who were relieved to be back on home ground were handed over to the care of health authorities and other relevant institutions,
But bringing them home safely was not enough to the crew of volunteers. The extra money they received for volunteering for the flight was returned by the captain on behalf of his flying crew of men and women.
Chief Pilot Chaminda De Zoysa has written to Captain Ranatunga stating that the entire crew who operated the
Wuhan flight have collectively decided to respectfully decline the flight allowances paid for the said duty period. “Please be kind enough to facilitate the airline to utilise those monies toward procuring masks and gloves for the use of ground staff at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo or for a worthy cause,” he said.
Well done. Thanks for the humanitarian gesture to save Lankan lives. By flying beyond the radar of duty this crew of 16 showed that behind the full body protection gear they wore that there was not only a smile of welcome but a heart every ready to reach out to those in distress. And, instead of stashing away their extra allowance in some Panama off shore account in the spouse’s name, thanks again, for ploughing the proceeds back to the cash hit company to enable its director’s purchase badly needed face masks and gloves for its ground staff’s protection against the coronavirus.