Daily NEWS Srilanka

The aeroplane M.H. 179 belonging to Malaysian Airways which set off from Kuala Lumpur,

The said flight had gone a short distance after leaving Kuala Lumpur Airport and on an occasion when the passengers were being served meals a certain passenger who asked for alcoholic drinks had begun to talk nonsense after being too intoxicated. He had continuously been requesting for more drinks on which occasion the air hostesses had informed him that any further drinks could not be provided at which moment he had become boisterous and begun assaulting the flight air hostesses and the passengers as well. This confusion had taken place at the time the plane was flying over Malaca Straits and though the young men of the staff had tried to bring this situation under control it had been not possible as the passenger concerned was a tall, bulky, hefty man. At that moment the pilot was not able to do anything and had been left helpless. He had been therefore giving instructions by manouvering around the same place trying to bring the situation under control.

After hovering a few rounds like this for about two hours, as the other passengers on board had become displeased with the harassment at the hands of this particular passenger what they appealed for was to give them some consolation by handing him over to the police. As such, the pilot who contacted authorities of Kuala Lumpur turned back the plane on their instructions.

Subsequently the flight happened to land early in the morning safely at Kuala Lumpur Airport. Thus the pilot was able to hand over this troublesome passenger to the police. The authorities then took steps to re-board the passengers on board the flight on to another flight to Katunayaka around 11 in the morning.

The Malaysian Airlines refused to divulge the identity of the passenger who was responsible for this problem and was on his way to Sri Lanka. They declined to mention whether he was a Sri Lankan or not.