Preliminary investigations are being carried out by authorities on the Antonov AN-32 aircraft belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force that crashed this morning in Athurugiriya.
Sri Lanka Air Force confirms five personnel were in the aircraft at the time of the crash. It was on its way to Ratmalana airport from its base in Katunayake for its scheduled flight. The Antonov AN-32 which was heavily used for transporting troops and goods during the hight of the war against terrorism was converted to domestic transport following the return of peace.
Last communication of the flight with the flight control tower had been on the visibility of the runaway. The actual reason can be revealed only through a proper investigation conducted according to our protocols,said Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Gihan Seneviratne.
According to the Police four of the five Air Force personnel were killed and one injured. The injured Air Force personnel has been sent for immediate medical attention.