Warrant officer killed in parachute accident

File Photo

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya and Wasantha Chandrapala   

Army Special Forces (SF) Warrant Officer (2nd Class) H.K. Champika Kumarasingha was reported to have been killed last morning when engaged in a parachute training exercise at the Uhana Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Ampara.   

The Army said the officer had suffered a free-fall of some 7,000 feet into a jungle area within the Air Force base after his parachute failed to open and had on admission to the Ampara General Hospital.   

The deceased officer, a resident of Kamburupitiya, was attached to the Kuda Oya Commando Training School and a parachute trainer with a keen knowledge in parachute jumping.  
 He had also participated in a parachute-jumping show in Colombo during the Independence Day celebrations.