The Change of Command of No. 33 Land Based Air Defence Wing at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Anuradhapura was held on 29 September 2026. The traditional Handing Over and Taking Over Parade was conducted at the Wing premises, where the outgoing Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader PADCM Pattiwila MSc (Def & Strat Stu), BSc (Avn Stu), psc, formally handed over command to Squadron Leader SADK...

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) awarded Fighter Controller and Load Master Brevets to officers and airmen who successfully completed the required training and qualifications in their respective fields at a ceremony held at the Air Force Head Quarters.Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, together with Director General Air Operat...

Air Vice Marshal Rajinth Jayawardena, USP, CQHRM, MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, MDS, MSSD, BA (Def Stu), ndc (Ban), psc, bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) today (27 September 2026), upon completion of 34 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he served as the Director General Welfare of the Sri Lanka Air Force.Prior to his retirement, Air Vice Marshal ...

Corporal Dassanayake DMDM of the Sri Lanka Air Force, who represented Sri Lanka at the 13th World Strength Lifting Championship 2026, held in Kyrgyzstan from 07 to 11 September 2026, returned to the Island on 15 September 2026 and was accorded a warm welcome upon his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.Competing in the Hack Lift event in the Under 95 kg weight c...

The Closing Address of the No. 174-A Intake Fire Fighter Basic Trade Training Course (01/2026) was held on 24 September 2026 at the Fire School & Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron (FS&FTMS), Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake, with Staff Officer Air Traffic Services, Directorate of Air Operations, Group Captain DLJRK Dodamgoda, gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest.The training...

The No. 7 Helicopter Squadron, based at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, proudly celebrated its 32nd Anniversary on 23 September 2026, marking over three decades of dedicated and distinguished service to the nation. The Squadron was initially established as No. 401 Squadron on 23 September 1994, operating Bell 212 and Bell 206 helicopters, and was subsequently re-designated as No. 7 Helicopter Sq...

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has successfully concluded the latest helicopter rotation in support of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), further strengthening its sustained aviation contribution to UN peacekeeping operations.As part of the rotation, SLAF Mi-17 helicopter SMH 695 was dispatched from Sri Lanka to...

The Sri Lanka Air Force netball players showcased outstanding performances at the 2026 State Service Netball Championship, which commenced on 16 September 2026 at the Valarmathi Sports Ground, Chavakachcheri, Jaffna, securing their dominance throughout the tournament.Organised by the State Service Netball Sports Association, the tournament featured 52 teams representing 18 Government Ins...

The Radar Maintenance Wing at SLAF Base Katunayake proudly commemorated its 17th Anniversary on 20 September 2026. Established on 20 September 2009, the Wing has evolved into a vital maintenance organization responsible for ensuring the operational readiness and sustainability of radar systems supporting Sri Lanka’s National Air Defence Network.To mark this significant milestone, a cus...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, conducted the Commander’s Inspection at Sri Lanka Air Force Station Piduruthalagala today (19 September 2026).Upon arrival, the Commander was warmly received by the Acting Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Asanka Bopitiya, and accorded a ceremonial Street Lining. During the inspection, a Certificate of Commendation was aw...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, conducted the Commander’s Inspection at the Sri Lanka Air Force Combat Training School (SLAF CTS) Diyatalawa on 18 September 2026.The Commander reviewed the Commander’s Inspection Parade commanded by the Commanding Officer of SLAF CTS Diyatalawa Air Commodore Lalith Sugathadasa. During the parade, Certificates of Commenda...

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) officially opened 63 transitional shelters constructed for families affected by Cyclone Dithwa at Rangala Waththa, Kandy, on 17 September 2026. The project, funded by the Government of Japan, was inaugurated in the presence of Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka H.E Akio Isomata, and Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Bandu Ed...

A motivational drive aimed at enhancing the mental preparedness and competitive performance of Sri Lanka Air Force sportsmen and sportswomen representing Billiards & Snooker, Carrom, Elle, Handball, Rowing and Kayaking was conducted yesterday (17 September 2026) at Air Force Headquarters.The programme was conducted under the guidance of the President, Air Force Sports Council and Com...

The change of command at the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Management School, SLAF Academy, China Bay, took place today (17 September 2026). The Acting Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader KL Dhanawalawithana MSc (Mil Tec), BSc (Avn Stu), handed over the duties to Wing Commander LRTPB Senevirathna Msc (Def & Strat stu), MLRHRM, psc.The newly appointed Commanding Officer, Wing Commander...

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Fire and Rescue Service conducted a High-Rise Building Rescue (HRBR) and Fire Evacuation Drill at Havelock City, Colombo, on 16 September 2026. This marked the first-ever fire evacuation and high-rise rescue drill conducted at the building, which has a total height of approximately 98.01 meters. The exercise was designed to enhance the operational readiness...

The “9th Inter Unit Golf Championship 2026” of the Sri Lanka Air Force concluded successfully at the Eagles’ Heritage Golf Course, SLAF Base Anuradhapura, following three days of keenly contested golfing from 09 to 11 September 2026.The Awards Ceremony was held on 11 September 2026 and was graced by the Director General Welfare, Air Vice Marshal Rajinth Jayawardena, as the Chief Gu...

The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe conducted the Commander’s Inspection of SLAF Base Ratmalana on 11 September 2026.The Commander reviewed the Commander’s Inspection Parade commanded by the Base Commander SLAF Base Ratmalana Air Vice Marshal Dinesh Jayaweera. During the parade, Certificates of Commendation were awarded to the following service and civilian p...

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A delegation from the Australian Defence College (ADC) visited the Air Force Museum at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Ratmalana on 09 September 2026, as part of their field application and research visit to Sri Lanka. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Base Commander, Sri Lanka Air Force Base Ratmalana, Air Vice Marshal Dinesh Jayaweera.During the visit, the delegation was briefed on th...

The INDRA Mk II Ground-Based Air Surveillance Radar Systems play a vital strategic role in strengthening the surveillance capability of the National Air Defence System. They provide essential air situation awareness and support the timely detection and monitoring of aerial threats. Maintaining these systems at a high level of operational readiness is therefore essential to the continuous...

A team of Veterinary Officers from the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Agro Unit, comprising he Commanding Officer of Agro Unit Group Captain Sampath Jayathilake and Wing Commander Henry Jinarathne, provided veterinary assistance to the Department of Wildlife Conservation in the safe tranquilization and relocation of an elephant from the Thalawa area.The intervention was carried out following...