News
SLAF conducts successful rescue mission under UN command in Central African Republic
The SLAF Sri Aviation Unit deployed under MINUSCA successfully conducted a Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) mission in Am Dafok, Central African Republic on 30 June.
“The mission was launched following an attack on troops of the Zambian Battalion who were conducting an Area Domination Patrol in the Am Dafok area. During the incident, an unidentified armed group attacked the patrol using AK-47 assault rifles, RPGs and machine guns. The attack resulted in multiple casualties among Zambian Battalion personnel, civilians, Gendarmerie and other security personnel.
Initially, a helicopter from another aviation unit was tasked to carry out the troop insertion and CASEVAC mission. However, due to adverse weather conditions, the aircraft was unable to depart on time. As the situation on the ground continued to deteriorate, the Force Commander directed the Sri Aviation Unit to undertake the mission.
The mission was commanded by the Contingent Commander of the Sri Aviation Unit, Group Captain Asiri Pathirage, as Pilot in Command, with Flight Lieutenant Dilhash Athapaththu serving as Co-Pilot. The crew also comprised Flight Sergeant Hettiarachchi TS as Flight Engineer, Flight Sergeant Manoj AGG as Load Master, Corporal Wijethunga WMPP and Leading Aircraftman Abeysinghe GD as Air Gunners. The onboard Aeromedical Evacuation Team (AMET) comprised Flight Lieutenant Yadeesha Rathnasiri, Warrant Officer DM Sumathipala and Flight Sergeant Ruwankumara KPD The Mi-17 helicopter departed Bria Airfield and proceeded on tasking to Birao Airfield to embark reinforcement troops before conducting the evacuation of casualties from Am Dafok.
While en route, the tactical situation in Am Dafok deteriorated further as the number of casualties increased. The Force Commander subsequently reprioritized the mission and directed the helicopter to proceed directly to Am Dafok without embarking the reinforcement troops.
After approximately two hours and ten minutes of flight, the helicopter arrived at Am Dafok, where the helipad was only partially secured and the security situation remained volatile. The crew landed the aircraft, embarked the casualties while keeping both engines running to minimise ground time and departed the area immediately.
The AMET provided continuous medical care to the casualties throughout the flight. A total of 14 casualties were evacuated during the mission.
The helicopter first transported the casualties to Birao Airfield, where nine casualties comprising two Zambian Battalion personnel, one Central African Armed Forces (FACA) soldier, five Other Security Personnel (OSP) personnel and one civilian were handed over to the Level 1 Hospital.
The remaining five critically injured casualties, comprising one Zambian Battalion soldier, three civilians and one Gendarmerie member, were subsequently airlifted from Birao to Bria for onward transfer to a Level 2 medical facility.”
News
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 to purchase four (04) automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport.
In addition, it is expected to extend the automated passenger clearance gates facility so far given only to the Sri Lankans
parallel to the e – passport issuance system to be introduced in the year 2027 also to the foreigners who travel to and from this country.
Furthermore, considering also the number of air passengers rapidly increasing with the fast – forwarding business and tourism field, the appropriateness to increase the total automated passenger clearance gates up to twelve (12) in number has been recognized.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to initiate the procurement and installation of 12
automated passenger clearance gates altogether with the already approved four (04) and another eight (08) automated passenger clearance gates adhering to the formal procurement procedure
Based on the observations submitted by the Task Force on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing for Terrorism, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 18.12.2024 to amend the Trust Ordinance No. 9 of 1917 including amendments proposed by the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the Trust (Amendment) Draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration
to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby, submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Action was taken to provide a fuel relief for the fuel consumers during the months of April, May and June of 2026 to redress by minimizing the impact caused to the day today life of the citizens of this country as well as the entire economy due to the price hike of petroleum fuel in the global market resulting from the war situation in the Middle East.
Government mediation is essential for minimizing the impact on the day to today life of citizens in this country due to that war situation not being ended further. Therefore, it has been planned to redress on the sale price for Auto Diesel and Industrial Diesel for a period of 03 months by the Government to provide relief to the public as well as to maintain the prices at a bearable level to the consumers without escalating the fuel prices in this country compared to the escalation of fuel prices
in the international market.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to
allocate provisions subject to the monthly limitations respectively as rupees 15 billion for the month of October, rupees 13.5 billion for the month of November and rupees 12.15 billion for the month of December to provide the said relief
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance
Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation
Establishment of a Spectrum Management and Monitoring System and a Quality of Service and Quality of Experience System for the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
Appointment of a Committee for the Restitution of Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage Held Abroad
Ten-Year National Action Plan on the Social Protection Sector (2026–2035)
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