Dec 27, Colombo: A light aircraft belonging to a private company made an emergency landing in the Kimbulapitiya area this afternoon (27) due to a technical fault. This is the second time in five days a light aircraft of the company has crash landed due to a technical fault.

The aircraft crash-landed on a paddy field at Kimbulapitiya, Katunayake due to a technical glitch while flying to Koggala after flying to Sigiriya from Ratmalana with four people on board including the pilot and a couple of tourists.

Air Force Spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe said that all four people were hospitalized due to the shock and minor injuries sustained during the landing.

Air Force Media Spokesman said that a rescue team and fire brigade were deployed at the Katunayake Airport as soon as the incident was reported.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Authority said it has suspended the operations of the Sakurai Aviation, the domestic carrier, which owns the Cessna 172 light aircraft from today (27) until further notice.

The Civil Aviation Authority said two light aircraft belonging to this company had technical faults while flying within five days and the Authority has launched an investigation into the matter.

A light aircraft of the airline made an emergency landing on the shore area of Payagala in Beruwala on the 22nd December. The pilot, co-pilot and a foreign couple traveling in it were injured in the incident.

Until the end of the investigation, Civil Aviation Authority Director General of Aviation Captain Themiya Abeywickrama on the instructions of Chairman Upul Dharmadasa had authorized the suspension of the operations, an official said.