Two Israeli-built Kfir bomber jets of Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) crashed in a mid-air collision during a rehearsal Tuesday morning killing one pilot at Yakkala in Gampaha. The other pilot sustained serious injuries. Both the Kfir bombers that killed several civilians in Vanni War were completely destroyed. The rehearsal was for the 60th anniversary of the SLAF which is being marked on Wednesday with fly-past aerobatics and a skydiving display.
SL President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has been invited as the chief guest for the event at the Ratmalana air base visited the scene of the accident.
SLAF had deployed the Kfir bombers to bomb military and civilian targets during the Vanni War.
The SLAF pilot killed was identified as Monath Perara. Squadron leader Vajira Jayakody has sustained serious injuries.
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