Accident
On 1 March 2011, two IAI Kfir aircraft from No. 10 Squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) collided near Yakkala, Gampaha, approximately 19 kilometres (11.8 miles) south-east of SLAF Katunayake. The collision occurred at 9:30 am local time during a final rehearsal for a flypast scheduled to commemorate the SLAF's 60th anniversary.
The two Kfirs were practising a low-flying circuit over the SLAF base at Ratmalana before returning to Katunayake. The incident took place roughly 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) from Yakkala. Both pilots ejected from their aircraft. Squadron Leader Jayakody's parachute deployed successfully, and he landed safely in a paddy field. However, Flight Lieutenant Perera's parachute failed to open, and he succumbed to injuries upon impacting a coconut tree.