Two air force jets crash in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO - Two fighter jets crashed on the outskirts of Sri Lanka’s capital Tuesday after a mid-air collision during rehearsal for an air force celebration, a military spokesman said.

One of the pilots was ejected safely, but there was no confirmation about the other pilot, the spokesman said.

The crash occurred in the Yakkala area, 30 km east of the capital, during rehearsal for the 60th anniversary of the air force.

The event Wednesday was to include aerobatics and skydiving.

There were no immediate reports of any damage caused to any buildings or injuries to any people on the ground.

The jets were used for attacks on Tamil rebel targets in the military operations that ended the civil war in May 2009.