Colombo, Sri Lanka, Nov. 2 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release:
The Sri Lanka Air Force Aviation Unit deployed in the Central African Republic has demonstrated outstanding professionalism and operational excellence by undertaking a highly confidential and high-risk hostage rescue operation on 19 October 2026 to rescue three civilians who had been abducted and detained as hostages for more than 8 months.
The rescue location was situated approximately 210 Nm away from the Sri Lanka Aviation Unit, Bria and more than 60 Nm away from the nearest United Nations base in an unsecured area dominated by multiple Armed Groups. The rescue package included three Mi-17 helicopters, an Aero medical Evacuation T...