The Russian built AN-26 transport aircraft came down near Anuradhapura, some 200 km north of the capital Colombo. There are no survivors. . . The plane, which was operated by a private charter, was carrying 36 soldiers and four crew members, at least three of whom were Russian nationals. There are no survivors. . . Defence ministry officials blamed a technical fault in the aircraft as the cause of the crash.
Some reports say the plane was on fire before it crashed.
Civil aviation officials announced the grounding all Antonov aircraft operated by private cargo carriers until an inquiry into the cause of the crash was completed. Fighting Many of the soldiers were returning from the Jaffna peninsula, where heavy fighting has been taking place between government forces and Tamil Tiger separatist rebels. Some of those on board the aircraft were wounded soldiers who were being airlifted to Colombo for treatment. Some others were returning to attend the funerals of colleagues killed at the front. Aircraft are used to ferry troops from Jaffna to Anuradhapura as the main land route is blocked by the rebels.