The Civil Aviation Authority has suspended the license of the pilot who lost his way midair, in Palali, while carrying Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. 

The Minister, who refused to fly with the pilot following the incident, had requested a helicopter from the Air Force to fly back to Colombo.

The pilot of a private helicopter, which carried Amaraweera, had been airborne for over 45 minutes searching for the Palali runaway to land. The Minister was in Pallali to attend a Pongal function. 

It is learnt that the decision has been made following a formal complaint on the matter.