Eight SLAF personnel who had arrived at Tambaram Air Force station early this week for training, returned to Colombo following Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s demand to the Centre, the Indian press reported yesterday.

The personnel had been sent back Tuesday night after receiving instructions in this regard.

Officials of the Air Force station here had sought police protection for these personnel. Police conveyed this information to the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister immediately asked the officials to get in touch with the Centre, asking them to send the airmen back to their country. Accordingly, the Centre issued instructions to send them back.

This follows protests in Tamil Nadu demanding the Centre to force the Rajapaksa government to call an immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka.