A SriLankan Airlines flight bound for Kuwait was forced to return to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, due to a technical issue.
Flight UL-229, which departed from Katunayake to Kuwait City International Airport at 6.44 p.m. yesterday (08), experienced a hydraulic system malfunction while in the air. After flying for approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes, the pilot informed air traffic control about the issue and was instructed to return to Colombo.
The aircraft landed safely at Katunayake at around 9.05 p.m. with 179 passengers and eight crew members on board. No injuries were reported.
Arrangements have since been made to transport the affected passengers to Kuwait using alternative flights, airport authorities confirmed.
