At least five security forces personnel lost their lives when a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir during a training exercise on the morning of today.
The helicopter, operated by the No. 7 Squadron of the SLAF, went down while participating in a training operation linked to the passing-out ceremony at the Special Forces Training School in Maduru Oya.
There were 12 personnel on board at the time, including two SLAF pilots, as well as members of the Air Force, Special Task Force (STF), and Army Special Forces (SF).
All individuals were initially rescued from the crash site and admitted to hospital, but five later succumbed to their injuries at the Polonnaruwa Hospital.
In response to the incident, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force has appointed a nine-member committee to investigate the cause of the crash.
