Sri Lankans panic over UFO sightings... or lights from Mars?

Residents in several parts of Sri Lanka are counting their stars after being dazzled by lights emanating from unidentified objects flying in the sky.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) moved to allay fears that aliens from outer space were hovering in the country's air space.

SLAF media spokesperson Wing Commander Shiras Jalaldeen said that no unidentified airborne craft had been picked up on radar as yet, The Island reported.

He said the SLAF is keeping a 24-hour vigil regarding the unidentified lights that were witnessed in the skies over several parts of the country in the recent past.

In the wake of unconfirmed claims that Unidentified Flying Objects being sighted by people in several parts of the country, Jalaldeen said there was no clear evidence to confirm such rumours.

However, Newsfirst television channel showed footage of the strange lights visible in the night sky.

It claimed those unidentified lights was witnessed in the skies above Hambegamuwa in Thanamalwila in the Eastern province at around 8.30 on Monday night.