Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the assault on an Air Force officer near an ATM in Wadduwa, an incident that drew widespread attention on social media.

According to the Police, the attack occurred on June 22, in front of a bank branch ATM. 

Following investigations launched after a complaint was lodged, a team from the Wadduwa Police arrested the suspects yesterday (01).

The arrested individuals are residents of Pitugaldeniya, Kadigamuwa, and Atala. 

They are scheduled to be produced before the Panadura Magistrate’s Court today (02) for further legal proceedings. Further inquiries into the incident are continuing. (Newswire)

The post Two suspects arrested over assault on Air Force Officer in Wadduwa appeared first on Newswire.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has launched a special investigation into a tense situation that arose between Air Force personnel and Police officers during a bomb disposal exercise at the Kalpitiya firing range on June 17, 2026.

The Air Force Commander has appointed a special investigation board to conduct an inquiry and submit a report on the incident, which unfolded when three individuals entered the restricted security zone of the firing range without prior permission or notification.

According to the SLAF, seven Air Force members on duty and one Police Special Task Force (STF) officer questioned the three civilians about their identity. 

It was later confirmed that one of them was a Police officer, accompanied by two civilians. During the questioning, a tense exchange developed between the two sides.

In a statement, the SLAF noted that the firing range had been designated a restricted security zone during the exercise, with responsibility for the safety of all persons in the area resting with the Air Force. 

Necessary security measures were followed to ensure personal safety and prevent risks, the SLAF said.

The appointed investigation board is expected to review the circumstances and provide a detailed report on the incident. (Newswire)

The post Air Force Commander orders inquiry into Kalpitiya clash involving Police appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) athletes who won medals at the 6th Asian Beach Games in China were honoured with promotions and cash awards on Wednesday (06).

According to the SLAF, the athletes were honoured at a ceremony held at Air Force Headquarters under the patronage of Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe.

The athletes, who brought international recognition to Sri Lanka through victories in wrestling, kabaddi, and long-jump, were promoted from the ranks of Airman and Leading Airman to Corporal. In addition to promotions, special cash prizes were awarded.

Air Force coaches who guided the athletes to success were also recognized and presented with cash awards.

The medal winners are as follows:

• Wrestling – Corporal Nipuni Wasana Dharmadasa – Gold Medal
• Kabaddi (Women) – Corporal Hansika Bandara – Silver Medal
• Kabaddi (Women) – Corporal Shanika Bandara – Silver Medal
• Kabaddi (Men) – Corporal Chaminda Samarakoon – Bronze Medal
• Long Jump (Women) – Corporal Shashikala Lankathilaka – Bronze Medal (Newswire)

The post Air Force athletes promoted after medal wins at Asian Beach Games appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka won its first gold medal at the 6th Asian Beach Games when Air Force wrestler Nipuni Wasana Dharmadasa triumphed in the women’s 50kg category final.

Nipuni Wasana, representing the Sri Lanka Air Force, defeated her Vietnamese opponent in the decisive bout, marking a historic achievement in wrestling.

According to the Sri Lanka Air Force, this victory is Sri Lanka’s maiden gold medal at the 2026 edition of the Asian Beach Games in China. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka’s Nipuni Wasana secures first Gold at 2026 Asian Beach Games appeared first on Newswire.

The Sri Lanka Air Force has announced that a Bell 412 helicopter has been deployed to assist in extinguishing a fire that broke out at the Karadiyana garbage dump in Bokundara today (10).

It is reported that the blaze erupted around midday at the waste yard, prompting immediate action by the Moratuwa Municipal Council’s firefighting unit. 

Fire engines were dispatched to the site to prevent the flames from spreading and to bring the situation under control.

Authorities confirmed that the helicopter was brought in to bolster ground efforts. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and investigations are underway. (Newswire)

The post Air Force helicopter deployed to battle Karadiyana garbage dump fire appeared first on Newswire.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has issued a public notice reminding both local and foreign individuals that flying drones without proper authorization is prohibited within the country.

Issuing a statement, the SLAF noted that legal action has previously been taken against persons who operated drones in high‑security zones without approval.

The SLAF further said that anyone intending to fly drones must obtain the necessary permits in line with existing laws and regulations. 

The announcement aims to safeguard national security while preventing legal complications and difficulties for drone operators, it added. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka Air Force warns against unauthorized drone flights appeared first on Newswire.

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, together with the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera on Tuesday (23 Dec) visited the Colombo Central Bus Stand, Pettah, to inspect the ongoing renovation works. 

This project is being implemented under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, which aims to enhance urban infrastructure and promote environmental cleanliness across the country.

During the visit, the Air Force Commander conducted a detailed inspection of the site, reviewing the progress of the development works and assessing the quality of ongoing construction activities.

Under this initiative, the SLAF is responsible for the complete renovation of the buildings at the Colombo Central Bus Stand, including resurfacing of floors, upgrading infrastructure and developing drainage systems. 

The Commander emphasized the importance of completing the project with the highest standards of quality and transparency, ensuring that all works are executed efficiently, responsibly and within the stipulated time frame. (Newswire)

The post Air Force Commander inspects Colombo Central Bus Stand renovations appeared first on Newswire.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid his final respect to the late Group Captain Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, who died while engaging in providing relief to disaster-affected communities. 

Group Captain Nirmal Siyambalapitiya died in the helicopter crash that occurred in Lunuwila, Wennappuwa, recently. 

The President visited the residence in Ratmalana today, where the remains of Group Captain Siyambalapitiya have been placed, and paid his final respects. 

He also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the pilot’s wife, parents, brothers and sisters, as well as the rest of the family. 

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, were also present on this occasion. (Newswire)

The post President pays final respects to late Group Captain Nirmal Siyambalapitiya appeared first on Newswire.

Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, the commanding pilot of the Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter, which met with an accident during emergency relief efforts in Lunuwila, has been posthumously promoted.

According to the Sri Lanka Air Force, in recognition of his distinguished service, he was posthumously promoted from the rank of Wing Commander to Group Captain, effective 30 November 2025.

His remains are scheduled to be placed at his residence in Lunuwila today, and will be taken to his residence in Ratmalana this evening (02 Dec).

The late Nirmal Siyambalapitiya’s final rites will be conducted with full Air Force honours on December 04. (Newswire)

The post Fallen Air Force pilot posthumously promoted to Group Captain appeared first on Newswire.

A group of persons who had been trapped following flooding in Anuradhapura and in Polonnaruwa have been rescued by the Sri Lanka Air Force. 

One person who had been trapped on a coconut tree since yesterday (27), following flooding caused by the overflow of the Kalawewa in Anuradhapura, and six persons stranded this morning (28) on the Manampitiya bridge in Polonnaruwa, were safely rescued by a Bell‑212 helicopter.

According to the Air Force, the helicopter used belongs to the No. 7 Helicopter Squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force base at Hingurakgoda.

The rescued persons have been transferred to safe locations. (Newswire)

Man trapped on a coconut tree since yesterday due to rising floodwaters from the Kala Wewa in Anuradhapura was safely rescued this morning by the Sri Lanka Air Force using a Bell-212 helicopter pic.twitter.com/guA6lNXENR

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) November 28, 2025

The post Air Force rescues man trapped on coconut tree (Video) appeared first on Newswire.

Three people who had been trapped on the upper floor of a two‑storey house in Mahawa Ella this afternoon, following flooding caused by the overflow of the Deduru Oya, have been safely rescued.

The individuals were rescued by a Bell‑212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force and transferred to a secure location.

This operation was carried out by the rescue team attached to the Ratmalana base of the Sri Lanka Air Force. (Newswire)

Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter rescued three people trapped on the top of a two-storey building in Mahawa due to flooding pic.twitter.com/W5OyChpLDL

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) November 27, 2025

The post Air Force rescues three trapped due to Mahawa floods (Video) appeared first on Newswire.

Due to the impact of adverse weather conditions, the Sri Lanka Air Force today (26) transported the exam answer scripts from the examination centre located on Delft Island back to the Northern Province Department of Education Office.

The exam answer scripts were transported using a Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Air Force. (Newswire)

The post SLAF airlifts A/L answer scripts from Delft Island due to bad weather appeared first on Newswire.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has warned the public of potential dangers to aircraft operations due to kite flying.

Issuing a statement, the SLAF drew the attention of the public to the potential dangers associated with kite flying, particularly during the kite flying season, which is enjoyed by both children and adults.

The SLAF pointed out that flying kites in the vicinity of airport runways poses a serious safety hazard and has been identified globally as a contributory factor to air accidents. 

Such activity directly obstructs aircraft operations and endangers both passengers and crew, it said. 

The SLAF further said that in Sri Lanka, kite flying in areas surrounding Katunayake, Ratmalana, Hingurakgoda, China Bay, Palaly, Katukurunda, Koggala, Vavuniya, Weerawila and Mattala is considered especially hazardous.

As such, the SLAF urged the public to be mindful of these dangers during the kite-flying season. (Newswire)

The post Kite season : Air Force warns public of dangers to aircraft operations appeared first on Newswire.

The Ministry of Defence reports that more than 3,500 members of the Sri Lankan armed forces have been taken into custody for leaving service without proper authorization.

According to the ministry,  3,504 tri-forces personnel who had been absent without leave were arrested during operations carried out between 22 February and 03 August.

Among those detained are 2,937 from the Army, 289 Navy personnel, and 278 members of the Air Force.

The Defence Ministry also noted that a grace period was declared last year, allowing unauthorized personnel to formally return to duty. 

Those who failed to report back during this period were subject to the arrest operations that commenced on 22 February this year. (Newswire)

The post Over 3,500 military personnel arrested for desertion appeared first on Newswire.

At least 19 people have died and more than 100 are injured after a Bangladeshi air force training aircraft crashed into a school campus in the capital, Dhaka, on Monday, according to authorities.

The Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI aircraft crashed onto the campus of Milestone School and College, in Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood, on Monday afternoon, where students were taking tests or attending regular classes. 

The military said the jet took off at 1:06 p.m. local time and crashed soon after, catching fire immediately.

Bangladesh’s leading English daily, The Daily Star, reported more than 100 injuries based on data from various hospitals. Local media indicated most of the injured were students and were transported to different medical facilities, including a military hospital.

Parents and relatives panicked at the scene as rescuers, using tri-cycle rickshaws or whatever was available, transported the injured.

Authorities have not released details of the deceased.

Rafiqa Taha, a student at the school who was not present at the time of the crash, told The Associated Press by phone that Milestone School and College, with some 2,000 students, runs classes from elementary to twelfth grade. On Monday, she said, some students were taking tests while others attended regular classes. (AP)

The post Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashes into school in Dhaka appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka temporarily designated the Air Force base in Anuradhapura as an international airport on Sunday to facilitate Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s departure from the country.

The Civil Aviation Authority said the move was formalized through a gazette notification issued on Friday, granting one-day international airport status to the military airfield.

Modi and his core security team departed from Anuradhapura to Rameswaram in southern India under the special clearance. Immigration and emigration officials were deployed to process the departure.

Under Sri Lankan aviation regulations, aircraft cannot depart to foreign destinations from domestic airports unless those airports are officially designated as international through a government-issued gazette notification. (Newswire)

The post Anuradhapura granted International Airport status for a Day appeared first on Newswire.

Video footage has emerged on the Sri Lanka Air Force training aircraft crash reported in Wariyapola early this morning.

A K-8 training jet with two pilots had suddenly gone out of radar contact and later crashed at Minuwangete in Wariyapola.

However, both pilots had managed to safely eject, landing at a school in Padeniya, Kurunegala.

The public has captured videos of moments before the aircraft crashed, as well as the pilots safely ejecting. (Newswire)

The post Watch : Dramatic footage of pilot escaping Air Force aircraft crash appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has appointed a four-member committee to investigate the training aircraft crash reported in Wariyapola early this morning.

According to the SLAF, the committee has been appointed on the directive of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.

A K-8 training jet with two pilots had suddenly gone out of radar contact and later crashed at Minuwangete in Wariyapola.

Both pilots had managed to safely eject, landing at a school in Padeniya, Kurunegala.

The SLAF said the pilots had been admitted to the Kurunegala National Hospital for a medical examination. (Newswire)

The post Training aircraft crash : Special Statement from Air Force appeared first on Newswire.

Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, has approved the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera.

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, officially handed over the letter of appointment to Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera today (04 Mar). (Newswire)

The post New Chief of Staff appointed for Sri Lanka Air Force appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has assisted in the efforts to douse a fire that had erupted in a forest area in Nallathanniya, Maskeliya by deploying a Bell 412 helicopter with a Bambi bucket. 

The helicopter has been deployed on a request made by the Disaster Management Ministry from the SLAF. 

Upon the directives of the Defence Ministry, the SLAF had deployed the helicopter from the Ratmalana Air Force Base last evening. 

Using the Bambi bucket to obtain water from the Maskeliya Dam on 10 occasions, the fire has been successfully extinguished. (Newswire)

The post Maskeliya fire doused with SL Air Force assistance appeared first on Newswire.