Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), along with Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa and Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, attended the inauguration of the second phase of restoring Deegawapiya Stupa and Neelagiriseya today (10 July 2023).Following the inauguration, a security meeting was held at SLAF Station Amp...

The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, has approved the appointment of Air Vice Marshal RS Wickremeratne as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force.Accordingly, the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, officially handed over the letter of appointme...

In keeping with tradition, the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, visited Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic this morning (08 July 2023).The Commander called on Venerable Mahanayake Theros of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters at their respective temples and received their blessings during the day. Following the call on sessions, ...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, commenced the Commander’s Inspection from SLAF Base Anuradhapura yesterday (07 July 2023). The Commander was received by the Acting Base Commander, Group Captain MART Munasinhge. The Commander reviewed the Commander’s Inspection Parade, which was commanded by the acting Base Commander and during the parade, Certificates of ...

The Regiment Special Force (RSF) celebrated its 20th anniversary yesterday (07 July 2023). Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment Special Force is a descendant of Air Base Defence and Rescue (ABDR) Squadron which was established at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda on 07 July 2003. The terminology was changed to the Regiment Special Forces (RSF) Wing in the year 2006 and subsequently, this elite force wing w...

Air Vice Marshal Nihal Jayasinghe MSc (Def & Strat Stu), BSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, psc bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force today (07 July 2023) after 35 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he held the appointment of Director General General Engineering of the Sri Lanka Air Force.Air Vice Marshal Jayasinghe made an official farewell call on the Comman...

The Change of Command at Hospital SLAF Base Katunayake was held on 05 July 2023. The Handing Over/Taking Over parade was conducted at the Hospital premises, where the outgoing Commanding Officer, Air Commodore NDB Abeysekera USP MBBS (SL) DFM MCGP handed over the Command to Wing Commander RSS Jayathilake MBBS (SL).Air Commodore NDB Abeysekera, who has held the appointment of Commanding O...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, made his official call on the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd), at his Office today (06 July 2023). This courtesy call marked the first formal meeting between the Commander and the Secretary since Air Marshal Rajapaksa assumed his role as the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force. During ...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, made his official call on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, at the Office of Chief of Defence Staff  today (06 July 2023). During the ensuing cordial discussion, the Chief of Defence Staff extended his well wishes to Air Marshal Rajapaksa on his new appointment. Following the discussions, the mementos we...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, made his official call on the State Minister of Defence, Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, at his Office today (06 July 2023). This courtesy call marked the first formal meeting between the Commander and the State Minister since Air Marshal Rajapaksa assumed his role as the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force. During the e...

Old Anandians' Professional Forum (OAPF) and Old Anandians' Sports Club (OASC), in adherence to its tradition of acknowledging individuals who have attained the highest levels of recognition and accomplishment in society, paid the utmost honour to an alumnus and the newly appointed 19th Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa. The distinguished gathering took place at Hil...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, made his first official call on the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, today (05 July 2023) at the Presidential Secretariat.This visit signifies the Commander's first official meeting with the President since assuming duties as t...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, made his official call on the National Security Advisor to the President, Hon. Sagala Rathnayake, at his Office today (05 July 2023). This courtesy call marked the first formal meeting between the Commander and the National Security Advisor since Air Marshal Rajapaksa assumed his role as the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air ...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, made his official call on the Secretary to the President, Mr. EMSB Ekanayake, at his Office today (05 July 2023). During the ensuing cordial discussion, the Secretary extended his well wishes to Air Marshal Rajapaksa on his new appointment. As a symbol of this significant occasion, the Commander presented the Secretary with a c...

The Change of Command at Command Agro Unit SLAF Base Katunayake was held yesterday (05 July 2023).The traditional Handing Over/Taking Over Parade was conducted at the Command Agro Unit, where the outgoing Command Agro Officer, Air Commodore PE Gunawardena USP, BVSc (Hons), MVSc, PG Dip (Def Mgt), FSLCVS handed over command to Group Captain HBD Samaratunga MSc(Flori & Land Arch, Bsc(A...

The Change of Command at SLAF Trade Training School Ekala took place today (05 July 2023) and the traditional handing over/taking over was conducted at the main auditorium. Air Commodore SPS Martino, USP, Msc (Def & Strat Stu), BSc (Def Stu) Aero Eng, C Eng, Pg Dip (HRM), GCGI (SL), FIE (SL), MIE (SL), MIET (UK), MIIE (SL), MR Ae S, psc the outgoing Commanding Officer, officially han...

The Certificate Awarding Ceremony of No. 43 Land Based Air Defence Basic Course (LBAD) was held yesterday (04 July 2023) at the Air Defence Gunnery Training School, SLAF Station Iranamadu. Senior Staff Officer at the Directorate of Ground Operations, Air Commodore BAMP Balasuriya, graced the occasion as the chief guest.The No. 43 Land-Based Air Defence Basic Course comprised two officers...

The SLAF Hospital Colombo celebrated its 09th anniversary yesterday (01 July 2023). The formation day celebrations commenced with the customary working parade which was reviewed by the Commanding officer, Air Commodore PAV Padmaperuma. The Commanding Officer addressed all officers, airmen and civil staff who contributed to the development of the hospital from its inauguration and thanked...

Air Defence Command and Control Center (ADC&CC) at SLAF Station Mirigama celebrates its 17th anniversary yesterday (01 July 2023).  The ADC&CC was established in 2006 with the prime aim of serving the nation by being the premier center of the National Air Defence Network. During the last 17 years, ADC&CC developed its capabilities to meet the requirements of a dynamic op...

Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa assumed the office of the Commander of the Air Force this morning (01 July 2023). The assuming of duties by Air Marshal Rajapaksa was done in the presence of Venerable Maha Sanga, his beloved mother, wife Mrs. Enoka Rajapaksa, Daughter Miyuni, Son Inura, family members and well-wishers. ...

After being promoted to the three-star rank of Air Marshal by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces with effect from today (30 June 2023), Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa assumed duties as the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force this morning at Air Force Headquarters. The...