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Sri Lankan helicopter hit by gunfire

V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan Air Force helicopter came under gunfire on Wednesday from suspected LTTE gunfire in eastern Amparai district. It was flying over the Government-controlled territory, Army spokesperson Nalin Witharanage told The Hindu .

The helicopter, which had flown visiting Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Margarita Boniver to Arugam Bay, was on a sortie to pick up dignitaries in the tsunami-devastated town. Four bullet marks were found on the chopper when it returned to the Amparai air base after aborting the mission to ferry the Minister.

"There were two bullet marks on the door and two on the rotor blades. There were no injuries to the crew," Brig. Witharanage said.

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