Sri Lanka Air Force Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, the pilot of the Bell 212 helicopter that crashed during disaster relief and rescue operations in Wennappuwa, has passed away, the Air Force confirmed.
The helicopter went down while responding to emergencies in flood-affected areas. According to officials, the pilot had reported difficulties and attempted an emergency landing away from a nearby bridge to avoid hitting people seeking shelter there. He steered the aircraft toward the water in an effort to save lives, a move for which he has been widely praised.
Rescue teams recovered the crew from the crash site and rushed them to hospital, where Wing Commander Siyambalapitiya succumbed to his injuries.
The Air Force said the team had been deployed as part of nationwide operations to assist communities impacted by the severe weather. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
The incident comes amid intensified rescue missions across several districts as authorities respond to widespread flooding and landslides caused by days of heavy rain. (Newswire)