Flight Lt. Eranga Chamara Ekanayake, the co-pilot of the Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter that crashed into the Gin Oya on 30 November, informed the Marawila Magistrate’s Court that both he and the main pilot had detected a technical fault moments before the accident.
The helicopter had been engaged in relief operations for flood-affected communities when it went down in Lunuwila, Wennappuwa, killing the main pilot, Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, 41.
Testifying during a court inquiry on Tuesday, Ekanayake said the aircraft departed from the Katunayake Air Force Base around 5 p.m. to deliver dry rations. While flying over Wennappuwa, the crew saw people signalling for assistance near the Gin Oya bridge.
He said they were unable to land due to large crowds and overhead power lines and instead released an aid parcel from the air. While searching for a safe landing area shortly afterward, both pilots detected what appeared to be a technical issue.
According to Ekanayake, as Wing Cmdr. Siyambalapitiya attempted to stabilise the helicopter, it suddenly plunged into the river. The co-pilot and three others managed to escape and recovered the main pilot from the wreckage before rushing him to the Marawila Base Hospital.
Marawila Magistrate Dinidu Samarasinghe ordered that investigations continue formally, with the case to be taken up again on a later date.
