Colombo, Nov 02 (Daily Mirror): Defence Secretary has instructed the Sri Lanka Air Force to keep a Bell 412 helicopter on standby at the Diyatalawa Air Force Base for the potential airlift of patients injured in yesterday’s bus accident to Colombo for further treatment.

The accident occurred around 7:45 AM on Friday, November 1, at Ambagas Junction on the Dunhinda-Badulla road, involving a bus transporting 42 individuals from the Southern Campus of the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). The group comprised 36 students from the 39th KDU Intake, three lecturers, an instructor in charge, a senior military officer, and the bus driver.

Tragically, two female students lost their lives in the incident, identified as residents of Kurunegala and Nivithigala. Forty others sustained injuries and were hospitalised at the Badulla General Hospital, where seven are in the intensive care unit, and one is in critical condition.

The KDU Vice-Chancellor said that arrangements for the funerals of the deceased students will be made with full university support.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accident may have resulted from a mechanical fault in the bus. A thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the cause.

The Ministry of Defence extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a swift recovery to the injured. It also thanks local residents for their prompt action in rescuing the injured and commends Dr. Palitha Rajapaksa and the hospital staff for their immediate and dedicated response.