The Norwegian Embassy in Colombo responding to news reports on the flight path chosen by the aircraft that carried Anton Balasingham and his wife, issued the following text on the subject.

"The Royal Norwegian Embassy has noted that it has been indicated in several media that the flight-path chosen by the air-craft carrying Anton and Adele Balasingham out of Sri Lanka, was on the request of Balasingham. In this connection the Embassy feels it is correct to provide the following information:

The aircraft in question was hired by the Royal Norwegian Embassy with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

All arrangements regarding the flight were cleared between appropriate representatives of the Maldivian Government, the GOSL and this Embassy. LTTE was not involved and was only informed of the time of arrival and requested to prepare for the landing and loading.

The pilot did not provide any flight-path for his entry into or exit out of Sri Lanka. GOSL had, however, provided the pilot a "time-window" for his arrival and departure.

The passengers - including a member of the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs were unaware of any flight-path prior to their departure. The pilot approached the passengers only after they were air-born to inform that they had chosen to depart via the east coast, thereafter follow the coastline of Sri Lanka, before leaving towards Male somewhere south of Galle.

It is regrettable that the aircraft by such a route ended up near the incident between the Navy and the LTTE on the coast east of Trincomalee. These incidents were, however, in no manner connected. The flight-path out of Sri Lanka was decided by the pilot on the air-craft, and him alone."