Helicopter crash in Central Africa: Defence Ministry denies hostage allegations

13 January 2024 03:57 pm Views - 1797

Colombo, Jan 13 (Daily Mirror) -  In response to recent allegations, the Sri Lanka Defence Ministry has vehemently denied claims that a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) crew fell into the hands of the Al-Shabab group in Somalia. 

The Ministry clarified that a SLAF helicopter, engaged in peacekeeping duties in the Central African Republic, experienced a crash landing due to adverse weather conditions.

According to the official statement, the five-member crew is reported to be safe.

The incident involved an MI-17 helicopter assigned to the UN peacekeeping mission, which crash-landed near Bria, Central African Republic on Friday morning. Despite the helicopter sustaining damages, all five crew members emerged unharmed from the incident.

In response to the incident, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) announced the appointment of an investigation panel to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the crash. This directive came from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksha.