Sri Lanka, Aug. 13 -- The Bell 212 helicopter, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Paulen Jayawardena, lost control and crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir within 30 seconds of taking off from the Maduru Oya Army Special Forces Camp during a demonstration flight, the pilot testified before the Dehiattakandiya Magistrate's Court.

Flight Lieutenant Jayawardena made this statement while giving evidence at the inquiry into the crash, which claimed the lives of six military personnel-two from the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) and four from the Sri Lanka Army Special Regiment.

Court proceedings were presided over by Magistrate Priyantha Halyala, said Ada Derana reporter.

The pilot stated that he believed the helicopter crashed through no fault of hi...