The Sri Lanka Navy has called tenders to sell its 250 million rupees worth Hovercraft - Landing Craft which was never used for its intended purpose other than ceremonial displays.
The Sri Lanka Navy advertised the details of the sale in the weekend papers under the heading Navy hover craft for sale for passenger ferry purpose.
This is the second time that the Navy tried to dispose its most expensive unutilized machine from its possession.It was in 1998 that the Sri-Lanka Navy acquired this British designed Hovercraft that could achieve a speed of 50 knots with a full load of 10 tons and a range of 600 km for logistical use. The craft is capable of carrying 75 passengers.
However since its purchase the craft was never used for any military activities but given on hire to private sector in various instances including a car launch and for a fashion show.
The fuel consumption of the craft as given by the Navy is 150 liters per hour.
DM
