A senior Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) officer has expressed concern over the recent statement made by Minister Bimal Ratnayake, suggesting that the crash of a training aircraft was due to pilot error. The officer emphasized that making such assertions before the official findings of the seven-member investigation committee are released is premature and unsubstantiated.
According to the senior officer, the remarks made by Minister Ratnayake have caused considerable distress among Air Force personnel. He added that issuing political statements while the committee is actively investigating the incident is reminiscent of previous governments’ tendency to draw premature conclusions without a thorough investigation.
The incident in question involved a Chinese-made K-8 pilot training aircraft that crashed in the Padeniya area of Wariyapola, Kurunegala. Fortunately, the pilots managed to parachute to safety and were admitted to the Kurunegala National Hospital for treatment.
Following the crash, the Air Force Commander appointed a special investigation committee to determine the cause of the accident. However, Minister Ratnayake told the media on the 24th that the crash was due to pilot error, despite the committee’s findings yet to be officially released.
The Air Force officer urged restraint from making speculative statements until the investigation is completed and the findings are made public.
