Stating that the incident has not damaged the relations between the two countries in any way, an Indian High Commission spokesman here said Captain B N Karkera and first officer, Romesh Singh were off loaded from the Chennai-bound Indian Airlines plane for interrogation in view of the last minute decision by the Sri Lankan naval officials to question them.

``Had they requested us earlier for such a meeting we would have arranged it in the High Commission. But their request came only after the two along with 15 other rescued crew men left for airport,'' he said adding that naval officials questioned the two for routine information about the incident in the presence of Indian officials.

Fifteen other Indian crew men leftin that flight. The captain and his deputy were sent by Air Lanka flight to Chennai four hours later.

The 17 men were released by the LTTE on August 18 through International Committee of Red Cross after a four day captivity.