Sri Lanka in trouble over detention of Russian plane

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Ambassador of Sri Lanka Janitha Abeywickrama Liyanage and had protested in connection with the detention of an Aeroflot plane at the Bandaranaike airport.

The head of the diplomatic mission received a protest in connection with the groundless decision of the judicial authorities of Sri Lanka to seize an Aeroflot scheduled flight to Moscow on June 2 at the Bandaranaike International Airport, it said.

“We urged the Sri Lankan side to settle this problem as soon as possible to avoid its negative impact on traditionally friendly bilateral relations,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said, according to the Tass Russian News Agency.

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando has also expressed concern over the matter claiming it could affect the tourism industry with Russian tourist arrivals.