Victory Day Parade 2013
4:02pm on Saturday 18th May 2013
The National Victory Day Parade marking the 4th anniversary of the liberation of the motherland from over three decades of ruthless terrorism was held this morning at 8:30 AM at the Galle Face. The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, reviewed the parade.
The National Victory Parade took on a new look this year, comprising of three columns viz. The Ceremonial Column, Combat Column and Mechanized Column, representing personnel who participated and hardware which was used in the Humanitarian Operations.
The SLAF’s contribution to the parade consisted of the Guard of Honour and three Columns of the parade. The first consisted of pilots in flying overall who had flown operationally in the humanitarian conflict this squad was followed by a column of SLAF personnel from all trades and included the SLAF Regiment Special Forces.
Most of SLAF flying formations were represented in the Fly past which included one Bell 212, three Bell 412s, three Mi17s, three MI 24 Attack Helicopters, four PT6 trainers, four Y12 passenger transports, one C130 Hercules transport, three An32b Transport aircraft, three Kfir Multi Role Jets, two F7 interceptors, two Mig27 ground attack jets which did a zoom climb once past the saluting dais.
Weapons and munitions utilized by the SLAF and Air defence equipment including guns and Radars were also on parade. Major General Leonard Mark was the overall commander of the parade whilst the SLAF contingent was commanded by Air Commodore SK Pathirana the Commandant SLAF Academy China Bay whilst the HQ Element (SLAF) was commanded by Group Captain DCI Weerasooriya, the Eastern element was commanded by Group Captain RP Liyanagamage, the Northern contingent commanded by Group Captain SJS Fernando and the Wanni contingent was commanded by Group Captain DK Wanigasooriya.
Sky Divers from the three services, led by jump master Group Captain Athula Nanayakkara and which included two SLAF female freefallers, made a free fall jump at six thousand feet from an SLAF MI 17 to conclude the parade in a colourful manner.
The event was well attended by the Prime Minister, Ministers, the Secretary to the President, the Defence Secretary, distinguished foreign guests, the Chief Of Defence Staff, the Commanders of Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, the Inspector General of Police and a cross section of the armed forces of Sri Lanka.
The National Victory Parade took on a new look this year, comprising of three columns viz. The Ceremonial Column, Combat Column and Mechanized Column, representing personnel who participated and hardware which was used in the Humanitarian Operations.
The SLAF’s contribution to the parade consisted of the Guard of Honour and three Columns of the parade. The first consisted of pilots in flying overall who had flown operationally in the humanitarian conflict this squad was followed by a column of SLAF personnel from all trades and included the SLAF Regiment Special Forces.
Most of SLAF flying formations were represented in the Fly past which included one Bell 212, three Bell 412s, three Mi17s, three MI 24 Attack Helicopters, four PT6 trainers, four Y12 passenger transports, one C130 Hercules transport, three An32b Transport aircraft, three Kfir Multi Role Jets, two F7 interceptors, two Mig27 ground attack jets which did a zoom climb once past the saluting dais.
Weapons and munitions utilized by the SLAF and Air defence equipment including guns and Radars were also on parade. Major General Leonard Mark was the overall commander of the parade whilst the SLAF contingent was commanded by Air Commodore SK Pathirana the Commandant SLAF Academy China Bay whilst the HQ Element (SLAF) was commanded by Group Captain DCI Weerasooriya, the Eastern element was commanded by Group Captain RP Liyanagamage, the Northern contingent commanded by Group Captain SJS Fernando and the Wanni contingent was commanded by Group Captain DK Wanigasooriya.
Sky Divers from the three services, led by jump master Group Captain Athula Nanayakkara and which included two SLAF female freefallers, made a free fall jump at six thousand feet from an SLAF MI 17 to conclude the parade in a colourful manner.
The event was well attended by the Prime Minister, Ministers, the Secretary to the President, the Defence Secretary, distinguished foreign guests, the Chief Of Defence Staff, the Commanders of Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, the Inspector General of Police and a cross section of the armed forces of Sri Lanka.
