The third edition of the Sri Lanka Air Force “Culinary Arts Competition 2026” concluded successfully today (22 August 2026) at Sigiriya, under the patronage of Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Chefs’ Association of Sri Lanka in accordance with World Association of Chefs’ Societies...

The Handing Over / Taking Over parade to mark the change of Command at SLAF Station Batticaloa was held yesterday (21 August 2026) at the station parade square. The event followed customary proceedings during which the Acting Commanding Officer Wing Commander BMPI Balasooriya MSc (Mil Tech), BA (Def Stu) ceremonially handed over command of the Station to Group Captain DSS Seneviratne USP...

A workshop on “Results-Based Management” was conducted at Air Force Headquarters on 18 August 2026, on the initiative of the Director General Planning, to enhance understanding and strengthen the implementation of the Organisational Results Framework (ORF) within the Sri Lanka Air Force, in line with the directives of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development through...

The Fire and Rescue Service of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) successfully conducted the Annual Fire Evacuation Drill at the Headquarters of Development Holding (Pvt) Ltd (DHPL), Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 02, on 21 August 2026, with the aim of enhancing emergency preparedness, strengthening inter-agency coordination and assessing operational readiness in high-rise fire and rescue scenarios....

The Change of Command at No 5 Fighter Squadron, SLAF Base Katunayake was held on 20 August 2026 where Group Captain SMMMM Senanayake WWV, RSP and Three Bars, USP, MMS (Mil Com-PRC), BSc (Mgt), AMITD (SL), psc, qfi handed over the command to Wing Commander MDR Perera MLRHRM, BSc (Mgt), qfi. The traditional handing over taking over parade was conducted at the squadron premises with the par...

The 19th International Research Conference (IRC) of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) commenced on 20 August 2026, with Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, attending the inaugural session. The conference was inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as Chief Guest, under the theme “From Crisis to Opportunity: Reimagining Go...

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Fire and Rescue personnel successfully participated in the Annual Fire Evacuation Drill conducted at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Colombo, today (20 August 2026) in collaboration with the Fire Service Department of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). The exercise was conducted with the aim of enhancing emergency preparedness, strengthening inter-agency coord...

Responding to a request from the Police OIC Puvarasankulam, the Fire & Rescue Team of SLAF Base Vavuniya, comprising one officer and four firefighters, successfully brought a large-scale forest fire near the University of Vavuniya under control on 19 August 2026.Acting swiftly upon receiving the information in the late afternoon, the team proceeded to the location under the guidance ...

The Change of Command of SLAF Station Palaly was held on 19 August 2026. The traditional Handing Over/ Taking Over parade was conducted at the Station, where the outgoing Commanding Officer Group Captain DSS Seneviratne USP, MSc (Def & Strat Stu), Pg Dip (Def Mgt), psc handed over the command to Group Captain PR Herath RWP, RSP, USP, MSc (Def & Strat Stu), BSc (Def Stu), Pg Dip (...

Air Vice Marshal Padman De Costa USP ndc MBA in HRM MHRM was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force, with effect from today (18 August 2026). The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, officially handed over the letter of appointment to Air Vice Marshal Padman De Costa at the Air Force Headquarters today and conveyed his best wishes to the n...

The Aeronautical Engineering Support Wing (ASW) celebrated its 17th Anniversary on 14th August 2026. The ASW was Established in 2009 at SLAF Base Ratmalana as a unique engineering formation in the SLAF with the primary vision of providing both Aeronautical and General Engineering service support to maintain the operational readiness of the SLAF aircraft fleet.While assisting all flying f...

The Change of Command of SLAF Base Vavuniya was held yesterday (14 August 2026). The traditional Handing Over/Taking Over Parade was conducted at the Base, where the outgoing Base Commander, Group Captain RMCJK Ratnayake RSP, USP, MSc (Mgt), MSc (Mil Stu), Pg Dip (Def Mgt), psc, qfi, handed over the command to Air Commodore NK Thanippuliarachchi RWP, RSP and Two Bars, USP, MMSc (Strat St...

The 14th Defence Services Games, which bring together the three Armed Services in a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie, ceremonially commenced today (14 August 2026) at the Wave n' Lake Multi-Functional Hall, Welisara, in the gracious presence of the Tri-Services Commander. The Deputy Minister of Defence graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.This year, the Games are hosted by the S...

The Regiment Special Forces (RSF) Training School at SLAF Station Morawewa conducted the No.10 Search and Rescue Course from 06 July 2026 to 14 August 2026. The course comprised with 20 RSF personnel including one (01) Foreign Training Officers (Representing Garud Commando Force) from Indian Air Force.Search and Rescue Courses for foreign and RSF personnel have been specially designed to...

Air Vice Marshal Gihan Seneviratne is a proud product of St. Joseph's College, Colombo and a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy Class of 1996. He joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 28 May 1992, and was commissioned on 28 May 1996, as a Pilot Officer in the Aeronautical Engineering Branch.During his tenure in the SLAF, he has served in various capacities, with some noteworthy ...

The Change of Command at the Aircraft Engineering Wing (AEW), SLAF Base Katunayake was conducted today (12 August 2026). The traditional Handing Over / Taking Over parade took place at the Wing premises where the outgoing Commanding Officer Group Captain Uditha Wijerathna USP, MSc (Def & Strat Stu), AMITD(SL), psc handed over the command to Air Commodore WADC Wijesinghe USP, MSc (NSW...

The Graduation Ceremony of the No. 82 Junior Command and Staff Course was held yesterday (10 August 2026) at the auditorium of the Junior Command and Staff College, SLAF Academy China Bay. The event marked the successful conclusion of a comprehensive 14 weeks academic programme, attended by 23 Officers from the Sri Lanka Air Force, two Officers from the Sri Lanka Army and two Officers fr...

A special emergency health security drill was conducted at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport on 07 August 2026 to enhance preparedness for managing a suspected case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) involving an arriving passenger. The primary objective of the exercise was to enhance preparedness for infectious disease emergencies that may occur within an international Airport environme...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, conducted the Commander’s Inspection of SLAF Station Koggala today (07 August 2026). The Commander was received by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain Mangala Seneviratne and was accorded by a street line. The Commander awarded a Certificate of Commendation to LAC Wasantha Kumara OKD (Water Works Technician) in recognitio...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, conducted the Commander’s Inspection of SLAF Station Katukurunda today (07 August 2026). The Commander was received by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain MP Abeywickrama, and was accorded by a street line. The Commander awarded the Certificates of Commendation to the following personnel for their meritorious contribution...

The Research and Development Wing at SLAF Base Katunayake celebrated 11th anniversary yesterday (05 August 2026) marking a significant milestone in surpassing a decade-long journey of progress. With established in 2015, the Wing has consistently spearheaded initiatives aimed at enhancing the research and development capabilities of SLAF.Over the past eleven years, the Wing has played a s...