Religious rites held in memory of victims of plane crash 50 years ago

By Ranjith Rajapakse   

Religious rites in memory of the victims of the most  terrible plane crash in the country 50 years ago were performed  yesterday in front of the memorial near Wimaladurendra reservoir in  Norton Bridge.   

The Martinair DC8 plane, on a flight to Mecca from  Indonesia with 182 passengers and a nine-member crew on board had  crashed into the Seven Virgin mountain range in Norton Bridge on the  night of December 04, 1974, and was ruined claiming the lives of all  of them.   

The religious rites had been organised by OIC Norton Bridge  Police CI Kapila Wijesuriya with the help of his fellow officers and the  Norton Bridge Trishaw Operators Association.   
The participants paid floral tributes and lighted candles at the memorial in memory of the victims.   

Chief Incumbent of Vidulipura Sri Sudharmarama Temple Ven,  Thuruvila Jinarathana Thera administered the religious activities.