Video: Helicopter wreckage removed after Lunuwila crash

Colombo, Dec. 1 (Daily Mirror) - The wreckage of an Air Force Bell 212 helicopter that crashed in the Lunuwila area of Wennappuwa has been removed from the site.

Meanwhile, a nine-member committee, including senior Air Force officers, has been appointed to investigate into the incident.

The Sri Lanka Air Force has been conducting extensive humanitarian operations during the recent floods and landslides, providing vital assistance alongside the tri-services, police, fire brigade and rescue teams.

The helicopter was engaged in delivering food and supplies to communities near the Lunuwila bridge when it crashed into the Gin Oya yesterday. Despite the pilots’ attempt at a safe landing, the helicopter went down.

Local residents and rescue teams worked swiftly to save the officers  on board. They were later admitted to the Marawila Hospital, but the pilot, Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, 41, lost his life.

Wing Commander Siyambalapitiya, an experienced pilot, had recently completed a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Colombo and was scheduled to attend the graduation ceremony the following day.