An Mi-17 transport helicopter has been damaged during a Peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic earlier today (12) The Morning learns.
According to the SLAF, non of the five SLAF aircrew were injured in the incident which had taken place when the helicopter was attempting to land at a remote airstrip. The helicopter, one of three deployed to CAR was on a cargo delivery mission for Peacekeepers.
Speaking to The Morning, SLAF spokesman Gp.Capt. Dushan Wijesinghe said that the crew were unhurt and that a team has been dispatch from the UN multidimensional Peacekeeping Mission to the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) to the location of the incident to begin an inquiry. He added the Commander of the SLAF has appointed a team if specialist to inquire in to the incident. The extent of damage ot the helicopter is yet to be assessed.
According to the SLAF the UN missions they have taken part in since 2014 had earned Sri Lanka over $120 million.