Helicopter crash in Central Africa: Defence Ministry denies hostage allegations

13 January 2024 03:57 pm - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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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.

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Comments - 6

Pusa Sunday, 14 January 2024 08:07 AM

Why are we in the CAR ? O forgot, we are the housekeepers to the world so we can dole the 225

Sambo Sunday, 14 January 2024 08:57 AM

If thee is a denial then there is a truth behind it. We will keep in mind this statement you have made and when the time comes lets see what you will say.

Saman Sunday, 14 January 2024 02:18 PM

This dedenial cold also be like the explanation given to the entertainment party held in the mid sea, at mid night, being a study tour by aged people, whose vision is less than 20 meters even during the day time.

Patcitz Sunday, 14 January 2024 03:05 PM

Yeah, correct, they fell into the hands of the LTTE TERRORIST GROUP, which Ranil helped re-group with the advice of his staunch allies Sampanthan, Sumanthiran, Pakki Sotthi Saranavanamokku, Vigneswaran, Indian counterparts, etc.

Sokrates Sunday, 14 January 2024 05:34 PM

It would be better if you had kept your Ukrainian mercenary pilots.

Peter Gonson Tuesday, 16 January 2024 05:44 AM

Was Pimpiya there?

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Helicopter crash in Central Africa: Defence Ministry denies hostage allegations

Comments - 6

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