A statement issued by former State Minister of Defense, Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, has drawn attention over remarks made by Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake regarding the Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft crash in the Wariyapola Minuwangate area.
Minister Ratnayake had previously stated that there were no issues with the aircraft’s engine or fuselage and that the accident was caused by errors made by trainee pilots. According to Tennakoon, the Minister’s statement is inaccurate and lacks factual basis.
“When an Air Force aircraft crashes, a strict procedure is followed. Immediately after the incident, a Court of Inquiry is appointed to investigate the facts. If statements can be obtained from the pilots, that information is presented to the Board of Inquiry. It is only after these initial steps that formal investigations are initiated,” Tennakoon explained.
He further emphasized that investigations are conducted from multiple angles, following established protocols, which require considerable time to complete. The findings of the Judicial Board of Inquiry are first forwarded to the Commander of the Air Force and then handed over to the Ministry of Defense. Statements regarding such investigations are only made after these procedures have been followed.
“In this context, it is irresponsible for the Minister of Civil Aviation to present a final conclusion on the aircraft accident at Wariyapola Minuwangate,” Tennakoon stated.
He insisted that any statements concerning the Air Force should be issued through the Ministry of Defense, and remarks made by the Minister of Civil Aviation hold no credibility.
Tennakoon urged the Ministry of Defense to make an official and responsible statement on the matter. Additionally, he called on Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake to apologize to the Sri Lanka Air Force for making statements on a matter unrelated to his purview.
Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon
Former State Minister of Defense
