Sri Lanka [Images] has sought the lease of two heavy lift MI-26 transport helicopters from India.

Sri Lankan Air force Chief Donal Perera said a government-to-government request had gone out to India for the supply of the helicopters to take some 750 soldiers daily between Colombo and the northern base at Palaly, which is undergoing repair.

He told the Sunday Times newspaper in Colombo that fixed-wing aircraft would not be able to operate to Palaly until after the completion of repairs to the air strip.