airports Archives

Sri Lanka’s Recovery – By Tilak S Fernando Sri Lanka was in a severe economic catastrophe before the IMF came to a rescue with $2.5 billion in four stages. Unfortunately, the opposition parties did not assist the Ranil Wickremasinghe government. The President endeavoured to clear the fuel station queues and people lining up at gas stations for petrol & kerosine. However, credit should go to President Ranil Wickremasinghe for evading a complete collapse of the economy. IMF loan is not a happy occasion to celebrate with a “kiri bath” and crackers. At least, Sri Lankans should treat this as a life-saving move for the country as it serves as a breathing space for Sri Lanka. Bankruptcy. Sri Lanka failed to pay the overseas commitments in April 2023, and the nation was declared bankrupt. This was significantly due to expatriate income, the reduction from $437 million to $ 259 in the ...

“Kai Tak Heart Attack” – By GEORGE BRAINE In the mid-1990s, when I began to play casual cricket in Hong Kong, some games were at Mission Road grounds, in Kowloon. Cricket was a low priority sport, so football was also played there, and the grass was somewhat patchy. Kowloon is a crowded part of Hong Kong, and we could see mid-rise buildings and a multi-storied public school nearby. Cricket at Mission Road was dramatic, but not due to the prowess on the field. The ground was right beneath the flight path to Kai Tak airport, only about two nautical miles away. Kai Tak was one of the busiest airports in the world, and jets landed every five minutes or so. And some of them flew over Mission Road. A thundering noise of a low flying aircraft would signal another approaching flight, and a great shadow would glide across the field ...