Sri Lanka, Dec. 9 -- Flight Lieutenant Eranga Chamara Ekanayake, the co-pilot of the Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 aircraft that crashed into the Gin Oya in Lunuwila, Wennappuwa, has stated in court that both the main pilot and he realized there was a technical defect in the aircraft before it crashed.

He made this statement before the Marawila Magistrate's Court during the inquiry into the crash that resulted in the death of the main pilot.

The Bell 212 helicopter of the Sri Lanka Air Force, which was engaged in relief operations to support those affected by the disaster, crashed into the Gin Oya in Lunuwila, Wennappuwa on November 30.

The accident claimed the life of the main pilot, Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, a 41-year-old...