SriLankan Airlines Flight Returns Safely After Lightning Strike

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A SriLankan Airlines flight bound for Sydney was forced to return to Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake this morning after its first engine was struck by lightning shortly after takeoff. 

Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority Daminda Rambukwella said the aircraft landed safely back at the Bandaranaike International Airport. 

He noted that the lightning strike occurred about 45 minutes after departure while the aircraft was in Sri Lankan airspace.

There were around 207 passengers on board the flight UL 606.

The Civil Aviation Authority says further investigations into the incident are underway.