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2 Kfirs Jets Crashed in Sri Lanka

by Sri Lanka Army news | March 1, 2011 at 02:09 am

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Two Fighter Kfir jets belongs to Sri Lankan Air Force crashed killing one pilot today (1-03-2011) morning. Fighter Jets were on a fly pass rehearsal for the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Air Force when they collided with each other and crashed in the Gampaha area close to Colombo city. Those two jets had done a great service during the war period. The body of one pilot, Flight Lt. Monath Perera has been found at the crash site. Flight Lieutenant Monath Perera is an Old boy of Mahinda College Galle.

The 2 jets took off from SLAF Base Katunayake at around 9.10 am for fly past rehearsals and crashed at 9.30 am, 6 km off Yakkala near Kirindiwela Road. Preliminary reports indicate a possible collision as a cause for the crash of the two fighter jets which were flying in tight formation at the time of the accident.

The Commander of the Air Force has appointed a Board of Investigation headed by Air Vice Marshal Kapila Jayampathi to look into the causes of the accident.

The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the crash site of the Kfir collision, this morning.

Sri Lankan Air Force has organized an exhibition and a carnival from 2nd to 10th March at its Ratmalana Air Base. The Sri Lankan Air Force has arranged a series of events of Air Shows inclusive of Air Combat Maneuvers and Aerobatic displays by SLAF and International teams. The Air Force sources said that Squadron Leader Vajira Jayakody who jettisoned himself from the ill fated kfir has survived. Flight Lieutenant Monath Perera dies in the crash.

Squadron Leader Vajira Jayakody who was manning the other Kfir received minor scratches and has been transferred to Colombo National Hospital for observation.

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Sri Lanka Army news

at 10:57 on March 1st, 2011

Tribute to Flight Lieutenant Monath Perera

Flight Lieutenant Monath Perera was born into this world on the 13th of October; 1982.After competing his education at Mahinda College, Galle, Moanth’s passion for flying led him to enlist with the Sri Lanka Air Force on the 1st of August in 2004.

Monath was a valiant pilot who decided to push ...his boundaries even further for the sake of serving his motherland when he joined the iconic No. 10 Attack Jet Squadron to fly the Israeli built Kfirs which he has been attached to since 12 October, 2007, participating bravely in the Humanitarian Operations.

It was in the very same domain, high up in the skies where he untimely ended his life, leaving behind grieving family and friends. But his immeasurable service will never be forgotten.

Sri Lanka Air Force salutes this brave pilot whose memory and service will be always cherished. (courtesy SLAF)

Jason Dawson (not verified)

at 18:48 on March 2nd, 2011

These bombers were used extensively to bomb tens of thousands of poor civilians in the north under orders from the Sri Lankan government. They were never used for any "humanitarian" missions. Pilot Perera should have refused to carry out the murderous orders, but he didnt. Instead he complied and paid the ultimate price meted out by Karma for the tens of thousands he merciliessly slaughtered. There are many reports from many sources on the SLAF bombing of civilians in hospitals, schools and so-called no-fire zones.