Sri Lanka, Dec. 25 -- The Sri Lanka Aviation Unit operating under the United Nations (UN) mandate in the Central African Republic (CAR) has successfully carried out a critical Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) mission, under extremely hostile and volatile conditions.

The mission has been launched in response to an urgent request to evacuate two United Nations personnel who had sustained combat-related injuries in the Zemio area, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) said.

Accordingly, the evacuation has been conducted using a Mi-17 helicopter (UNO 325P).

The aircraft was captained by Wing Commander Nelson De Silva, with Flight Lieutenant Arunoda Ekanayake serving as co-pilot.

The aircrew comprised Squadron Leader Sandeepa Wijayathunga, Sergeant ...