From correspondents in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 06:02 PM IST

A Russian built Mi-24 Sri Lankan Air Force helicopter Friday crashed in southeastern region of the island-country after an air display to mark the start of construction work of a new international airport, an Air Force spokesman said.

The fate of the pilot and the two other people on board remained unclear as the helicopter crashed into a jungle, the spokesman said, adding that the accident was caused by a technical fault.

The crash occurred in Badalkumbura, 310 km south-east of Colombo.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)