The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has warned the public against flying kites near airports after a Y-12 training aircraft was forced to divert when it became entangled with kite strings during a flight from Ratmalana Airport.

The SLAF said a technical inspection found kite strings had become entangled around the aircraft’s left wheel, engine area and other components.

The Air Force urged people living near airports and runways to avoid kite flying, warning that it poses a risk to aircraft operations and aviation safety.