2000 SLAF Mi-17 Crash

On 16 September 2000, a Mil Mi-17 transport helicopter operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force crashed on Urakanda mountain range in the Aranayaka area in Kegalle District,^[3] after departing Bambalapitiya Police Grounds. The helicopter was carrying Minister of Shipping, Ports and Rehabilitation M. H. M. Ashraff and 14 others. Everyone on board was killed.^[4]

2000 SLAF Mi-17 Crash

An Sri Lankan Mil Mi-17, similar to the one involved
Accident
Date	16 September 2000 (2000-09-16)
Summary	Crashed into terrain due to technical failure
Site	Urakanda, Kegalle, Sri Lanka
Aircraft
Aircraft type	Mil Mi-17
Operator	Sri Lanka Air Force
Registration	CH592[1]
Flight origin	Police Grounds, Bambalapitiya
Destination	Ampara Airport, Ampara
Passengers	13
Crew	2
Fatalities	15[2]
Survivors	0

Aircraft and crew

The Russian-built Mil Mi-17 helicopter was operated by the No. 4 (VVIP/VIP) Helicopter Squadron at SLAF Ratmalana.^[2]

Squadron Leader Shiran Perera was the pilot in command.^[5][2]