The Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) Contingent in Bria in the Central African Republic (CAR) was tasked with undertaking an early dawn casualty evacuation mission on 20 May. The Mi-17 UNO 324P was designated to carry out the challenging operation. 

The mission was captained by Wing Commander Nadun Deneththi and the Co-Pilot was Flight Lieutenant Dinuka Gunasinghe. The mission was to evacuate three United Nations members who met with a vehicle accident in a remote location in the Rafai area.