The Commander of the Air Force posthumously promoted late Flight Sergeant YMS Yaparathna, the fire fighter who succumbed to his injuries at the Karapitiya hospital where he was admitted to after he sustained a fall from the helicopter he was suspended from during rescue operations in the Neluwa Area, to the rank of Warrant Officer.  

Warrant Officer Yaparathna enlisted in the Sri Lanka Air Force in 2001 on 19 January and received his basics training at CTS Diyathalawa and advance training at SLAF TTS Ekala  He has served in SLAF Base Katunayaka , SLAF Base Anuradhapura and SLAF Base Rathmalana ,SLAF Station Colombo, SLAF Station Batacaloa,_ SLAF Station Iranamadu and SLAF Trade Training School as a reputed fire and rescue operator.

He leaves behind his Wife K Lakmali and his only son Lakshan.

The Funeral will take place on the 29th and will leave the residence at 303/5, Nedagamuwa West, Kotugoda.

The Commander of the Air Force posthumously promoted late Flight Sergeant YMS Yaparathna to the rank of Warrant Officer a short while ago.