10 Squadron at SLAF Katunayake, collided near Yakkala, Gampaha approximately 19 kilometres (11.8 mi) south-east of SLAF Katunayake, during a formation fight rehearsal.

10 Squadron were conducting final rehearsals for the flypast scheduled for the next day, as part of the SLAF's 60th-anniversary celebrations, with their routine involving a low-flying circuit over the SLAF base at Ratmalana before returning to Katunayake on 01 March 2011, when they collided at 9.30 am (local time).

The incident took place roughly 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) off Yakkala.

Squadron Leader Jayakody's parachute deployed successfully, allowing him to land safely in a paddy field.

However, Flight Lieutenant Perera's parachute failed to open, and he tragically succumbed to injuries upon impacting a coconut tree.