Two Bell 412 helicopters have been placed on standby at Ratmalana Airport to airlift critically injured victims of the Gerandi Ella bus accident to Colombo.

The move was made on the directive of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, with the Sri Lanka Air Force handling the operation.

The accident, which occurred early this morning, claimed 21 lives and left 35 others injured.

The bus was en route from Kataragama to Kurunegala via Nuwara Eliya when it plunged down a precipice along the Nuwara Eliya - Gampola main road.

The injured are currently receiving treatment at the Kotmale and Nuwara Eliya hospitals.