The Change of Command of the SLAF Combat Training School, Diyatalawa, took place today (08 December 2025). The traditional Handing Over and Taking Over Parade was held at the school premises, where the outgoing Commanding Officer, Air Commodore DMR Dassanayake USP, MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, handed over command to Group Captain DSMLK Sugathadasa USP, MSc (Def & Strat Stu), Pg Dip (Def Mgt...

The first MI-17 V5 helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF), deployed to support Sri Lanka’s disaster relief efforts following Cyclone Ditwa, departed the island on 06 December 2025. The second MI-17 V5 concluded its mission and returned to India this morning (08 December 2025), marking the completion of the IAF’s air support operations conducted in close coordination with the SLAF.D...

The Carrom Association of Maldives hosted the 07th Carrom World Cup from 02 December 2025 to 06 December 2025 with the participation of 17 countries. Seven SLAF Carrom players represented Sri Lanka at the tournament and contributed significantly as part of the Sri Lanka National Carrom Team, bringing notable achievements to the country.The Men's Team emerged as Runner-Up, while the Women...

Two C-130 aircraft of the United States Air Force arrived in Sri Lanka today (07 December 2025) to augment ongoing air operations supporting national efforts to restore normalcy in communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa. The aircraft brought in specialized personnel and capabilities aimed at strengthening humanitarian assistance and disaster response activities conducted across the affect...

A consignment of humanitarian relief items from the Government of Myanmar arrived in Sri Lanka today (06 December 2025). The shipment was transported by a Myanmar Air Force (MAF) Y-8 aircraft carrying essential natural disaster relief supplies to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.The relief consignment was officially handed over to the Sri Lankan authorities at SLAF Base Katu...

The Defence Attaché, Colonel Klaus Merkel and Assistant Defence Attaché, Lieutenant Commander Marco Hellgrewe at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, called on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, at Air Force Headquarters today (05 December 2025).Following discussions on mutual interests, the Air Force Commander and the visiting dignitaries exchang...

Upon the invitation of the Commandant of Defence Services Command & Staff College (DSCSC),Major General HHKSS Hewage, the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, addressed the student officers of Course No. 19 at DSCSC in Sapugaskanda, today (05 December 2025).Course No. 19 of DSCSC consists of 152 student officers, including 75 from the Army, 25 from the Navy and ...

The SLAF was honoured for its achievements in engineering and technological innovation at the 37th Techno 2025 Awards Ceremony held recently at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. These recognitions followed the successful participation of the Tri-Services at the 37th Techno 2025 Engineering Exhibition conducted in October under the theme ‘Engineering for a Smart Nation.’The SLAF received...

Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) members departed Sri Lanka this morning (05 December 2025) after successfully completing their mission under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’.During their deployment, NDRF teams carried out extensive rescue and relief operations across cyclone-affected regions in coordination with the Sri Lankan military, reaching deep-flooded pockets, deliverin...

A consignment of humanitarian relief items from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan arrived in Sri Lanka today (04 December 2025). The shipment includes tarpaulin sheets and dry milk, extended to support communities affected by the recent disaster.The Defence Attaché of Pakistan to Sri Lanka handed over the consignment to the Sri Lanka Air Force representative,...

The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, paid his last respects to the late Group Captain Nirmal Siyambalapitiya , the captain pilot who tragically succumbed to the Lunuwila incident , at his private residence in Ratmalana this morning (04 December 2025). The President also extended his deepest sympathies to the family of t...

The Annual Pre-School Concert of Sri Lanka Air Force Station Sri Jayewardenepura was held today (03 December 2025) at the Defence Services College Auditorium, Colombo, creating a vibrant evening filled with colour, creativity, and the remarkable talents of the children.The Chairperson of the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Krishanthi Edirisinghe, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Comm...

A Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka this evening (03 December 2025), carrying a contingent of 47 personnel from the Urban Search and Rescue Team, along with specialised Search and Rescue equipment, canine support assets, and essential humanitarian supplies intended to reinforce national relief and recovery efforts.The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, His E...

Toyota Lanka (Pvt) Ltd made a generous donation of 100 life jackets to the Sri Lanka Air Force this evening (03 December 2025) to strengthen ongoing rescue operations conducted for communities impacted by floods, landslides and other natural disasters across the country.The symbolic handover of the donation was held at the AFHQ premises, where the Director General Air Operations, Air Vic...

A Bangladesh Air Force C-130J aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon (03 December 2025), carrying a humanitarian relief consignment to support national recovery efforts following the recent adverse weather condition. The HADR mission is led by Air Commodore Mohommad Sahidul Islam of the Bangladesh Air Force.The consignment was officially handed over by the High Commissioner of Bang...

The Aarogya Maitri BHISHM Cube, which was deployed yesterday (02 December 2025), has become a vital medical lifeline for communities in the flood-affected areas of Ja-Ela and Seeduwa. This humanitarian effort is jointly conducted by the SLAF Medical and the visiting Indian medical contingent.Following its deployment, the medical team commenced operations yesterday at Ja-Ela, where an ope...

A C‑17 aircraft of the United Arab Emirates Air Force arrived in Sri Lanka this morning (02 December 2025) carrying humanitarian assistance for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.The relief consignment, brought by a 76-member Emirati Humanitarian Relief Team, includes essential supplies such as food, safety kits and tents. The donation was officially handed over to Sri Lankan author...

A specialized training session on the advanced Aarogya Maitri/BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) Cube mobile hospital system was conducted today (01 December 2025) at SLAF Base Katunayake for SLAF medical personnel. The session was led by the visiting Indian Air Force (IAF) Medical Team, following the recent arrival of the BHISHM Cube units in Sri Lanka to supp...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) C‑130J aircraft landed at Katunayake this evening (30 November 2025), carrying two BHISHM Cubes and a five-member medical team led by Wing Commander Sanjay Kumar.BHISHM Cubes are modular, self-contained medical units designed for rapid deployment in disaster-affected or remote areas. Each Cube is equipped to provide emergency medical care, including trauma ma...

A SLAF Bell 212 helicopter, which had been engaged in the distribution of dry and fresh rations in the Lunuwila area, made an emergency landing this evening near the Lunuwila Bridge. Five Air Force personnel, including two pilots, were onboard at the time of the incident.With the assistance of residents in the area, all injured personnel were promptly evacuated and transferred to Maravil...

Two MI-17V5 helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) arrived in Sri Lanka today (29 November 2025) to support the ongoing Search and Rescue (SAR) operations across disaster-affected areas. The helicopters brought a 22-member troop contingent along with essential Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) equipment to strengthen ongoing relief efforts.The helicopters were captain...