Sri Lanka Floods: Catholic Air Force Pilot Sacrifices His Life to Save Coworkers & Civilians

As Sri Lanka continues to reel from the destruction caused by severe flooding, the nation mourns the death of a devoted Catholic Air Force pilot who gave his life while trying to save others.

Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, pilot of a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter, died during a rescue mission after attempting an emergency landing near the Lunuvila Bridge in Wennappuwa. A technical fault occurred while the crew was carrying out relief operations in a heavily populated area.

According to surviving crew members, when the helicopter developed a critical problem, Nirmal refused to land immediately because people had gathered at the intended landing site. Although he shouted warnings from above, the civilians were unable to hear him. His team urged him to land quickly to save the crew, but Nirmal insisted he could not bring further suffering to people already affected by the disaster.

He told his crew, “Don’t be afraid, I will save you all, even if I am not around.”

Moments before the helicopter crashed, he tilted the aircraft toward the side where he was seated, giving the others time to escape and guiding the helicopter into a watery area to prevent it from catching fire, an act that saved many lives but ultimately claimed his own.

Born in 1984, Wing Commander Nirmal was an alumnus of St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa, and the father of a seven-year-old child. He was scheduled to receive his academic degree on December 3. Since joining the Air Force in 2005, he had logged more than 3,000 flying hours and earned several operational medals, including UN and South Sudan medals for peacekeeping service. He was pursuing further studies in international relations in preparation for UN peacekeeping missions.

His funeral will be held on December 4 at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Ratmalana.

Wing Commander Nirmal’s courage and profound sense of duty have deeply moved the nation. Even in the midst of disaster, his sacrifice stands as a powerful testament to faith, service, and love for his people.

Sri Lanka’s Worsening Flood Crisis

As of December 3, national disaster authorities reported 474 deaths, 356 missing persons, and more than 1.46 million people affected across 407,594 families.

With communities facing immense hardship, Sri Lankans have rallied together in mutual support, while regional and international partners continue to send humanitarian and financial aid. The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka has mobilised all dioceses, with priests visiting displaced families to offer comfort, guidance, and relief. Christian communities are also preparing special assistance programmes for disaster-affected families as Christmas approaches.