Aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka
Yesterday I receive a phone call saying I have an opportunity to fly and shoot. I decide to take the opportunity, even though I know there is some risk.
Two days ago a Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force, engaged in ongoing disaster relief operations, crashed this afternoon (November 30, 25) in the Lunuwila area of Wennappuwa.
Early in the morning, I wake up quickly, get ready, and reach the Air Force Base in Ratmalana before time. After the security clearance, I walk toward the Bell 412 helicopter.
One of the copilots looks at me and asks in Sinhala, “Api meyalata safety balloon ekak damu?”
Another copilot says, “Pitipassata hulanga wadiyi, hulangata yayi kiyala hitanewa, ain karanna.”
I ask him in Sinhala, “Aiyya, me heli eke model eka mokakda?”
He replies, “Bell 412. Meka VVIP. Meke keli galawa tiyenawa me wadeta.”
He shows me a small seat at the back with a simple seat belt. I ask again,
“Aiyya, me belt eka dana hati kiyanna. Mata SOP follow karanna.”
He calmly explains the technical details and helps me fix it properly.
As we get ready for takeoff, the copilot smiles and says,
“Baya wenna epa. Mewa watenne ne bn.”
Their support makes me feel confident, and I realize how rare and exciting this opportunity is. I sit inside the Bell 412, listening to the rotors start to spin, feeling grateful for the experience and the collaboration. I remind myself that I am ready to shoot this kind of assignment again.
Views of Sri Lanka Air Force relief efforts and the devastation of Cyclone Ditwah in Kotmale, Central Province, Sri Lanka, on December 2, 2025. Three simultaneous cyclones swept across South and Southeast Asia this week, adding to a series of destructive storms that have killed more than 1,300 people, left hundreds missing, and displaced millions. In Sri Lanka, Cyclone Ditwah triggered catastrophic flooding and landslides, submerging entire neighbourhoods, cutting off key roads, and overwhelming emergency services.
The government has declared a state of emergency as rescue teams struggle to reach isolated communities and tens of thousands of displaced people shelter in temporary camps. With widespread damage to homes and infrastructure, the country faces one of its worst recent natural disasters, intensified by the island’s vulnerable terrain and ongoing heavy rainfall.
