Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath has extended his condolences to the Government and people of Türkiye following the tragic military plane crash in Georgia.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Minister Herath stated “Heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Türkiye on the tragic loss of military personnel in Georgia. Sri Lanka stands with Türkiye in this time of sorrow.”

The crash, Türkiye's deadliest military incident since 2020, claimed the lives of 20 Turkish soldiers after a C-130 cargo aircraft crashed in Georgia on Tuesday while en route from Azerbaijan. 

The wreckage was found scattered across a grassy hillside.

Turkish and Georgian authorities have launched a joint investigation to determine the official cause of the crash.