Hot air balloon makes emergency landing into a paddy field

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A hot air balloon carrying a group of foreign tourists carried out an emergency landing in the Maradanda paddy fields in Dodamgaslanda, Meepitiya this morning (January 13). The group had taken to the air from Dambulla and had travelled for almost 52kms. No one sustained any injuries in the incident, however, it was reported that the paddy field had been damaged. Furthermore, it was reported that a compensation of Rs. 7,000 was paid to cover the damages caused to the paddy field. The hot air balloon was later removed from the paddy field with the assistance of the area residents.