A Mi-24 Attack Helicopter engaged on a training mission, crashed this afternoon (27 November 2009) 5 KM north of Buttala at approximately 1330 HRS due to technical failure.

SLAF regrets to inform the death of four of our comrades in this tragic incident.

Namely:
Wing CommanderEsala Dodammaluwa
Squadron Leader Rehan Fernando
Sergeant Jayantha Sirisena                                                 
Sergeant Chandrawansha Bandara Rathnayake