SLAF Base Ratmalana is situated in Colombo district, apporximately10 Kms South of the Colombo city. It is co-located with Colombo International Airport Ratmalana which is used mainly for domestic flights. The Ratmalana airport is a main hub for both military and commercial transport flights to other destinations in the country and is managed by the Airport Aviation Authority. Several private airline operators are also based at this airport.
On the 23rd of April in the year 1985, then Minister of Defence (Late) Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali declared open SLAF Base Ratmalana on the invitation of then Commander of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal DC Perera. The Base was initially commanded by Wing Commander CN Thudugala and has now expanded its strength to approximately 200 Officers, 3000 Other Rankers and 180 civilians. At present SLAF Base Ratmalana is commanded by Air Commodore WPAH Perera in the capacity of the Base Commander.
The Base at present houses a rugby ground, squash court, swimming pool and a multi-functional reception hall. Further, the base is home to the No.04 VVIP Helicopter Squadron, No. 08 Light Transport Squadron and the 61 Helicopter Flight. The Base contributed immensely during the Elam war by providing ariel transportation of goods and troops of the SLAF and other sister services. The Ratmalana Air Base is also famous for the SLAF Museum. Starting from the Royal Air Force operations during World War II to the combat operations of the SLAF in the recent past, the museum offers a detailed depiction of the evolution which has shaped the Sri Lanka Air Force into the highly successful fighting force it is today.
SLAF Hospital Ratmalana is one of the two main hospitals of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The Base HQ is the main administrative element for all lodger formations within the Base.
FORMATIONS BASED AT RATMALANA
No 04 Helicopter Squadron
No 08 Light Transport Squadron
No 27 Regiment Wing
Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering Wing
Air Force Museum
Aeronautical Engineering Support Wing
Air Field Construction Wing
Hospital SLAF Base Ratmalana
BASE COMMANDER
| ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
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AIR COMMODORE
AV JAYASEKARA
WWV and Bar, RWP, RSP and two bar, USP, fawc (Pak), psc, qfi.
| Sri Lanka Air Force Base
Ratmalana,
Sri Lanka.
| +94 11 2638118
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