r Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

SLAF on standby for disaster relief

May 24, 2021

On a request made by the Disaster Management Centre, the Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana has directed disaster relief troops and aircraft to be kept on operational standby.

Accordingly, a Beach King aircraft belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) No 03 Maritime Squadron has been located at China Bay and Ratmalana to conduct disaster monitoring missions.

SLAF sources also said, a Bell 212 and two Bell 412 helicopters at SLAF Base Ratmalana, three Bell 212 helicopters at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, a Bell 212 Helicopter at SLAF Station Palaly and two MI-17 helicopters at SLAF Base Anuradhapura along with specially trained personnel are on standby for the rescue operations.