Sri Lanka refutes claims of air force personnel captured by militants in Somalia

COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka's Defense Ministry on Saturday denied reports that several Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) personnel were captured by militants in Somalia.

In a statement, the ministry said a helicopter of SLAF, carrying out UN peacekeeping duties in the Central African Republic, crash-landed on Friday due to a rotor brownout resulting from extreme dusty and sand conditions.

The crew and cargo are safe, the ministry said, adding that they are not involved in any operations in Somalia.

The ministry urged the public not to be misled by false information.