In a significant initiative to enhance the convenience of pilgrims, the newly constructed ‘Golden Gate’ entrance staircases were declared open today (21 July 2024), leading through the Menik River to the sacred Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya.The construction commenced on 16 February 2023, and this endeavour included the construction of two staircases adorned with decorative guard wa...

The newly received MI-17 V-5 helicopter, designated SMH 581, arrived in Bria today (20 July 2024). This helicopter had previously arrived in Bangui on 30 June 2024, transported aboard an AN-124 aircraft.To mark the occasion, a traditional water salute was performed at Bria airfield to officially welcome the SMH 581 Mi-17 V-5 helicopter to the 9th SLAF Aviation Contingent. Following its a...

The Annual Air Force Christian Commemorative Service, where the Air Force remembers and appreciates those who laid down their lives in the name of service and nation, was held at  St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya, today (19 July 2024) under the auspices of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa. The entire event was organized by the Directorate of Welfare and ...

Hingurakgoda Airport, formerly known as RAF Minneriya and constructed during World War II for the British Royal Air Force, is set to be transformed into Sri Lanka's 6th international airport. This significant development aligns with the vision of His Excellency the President, Ranil Wickremasinghe, who has prioritized this upgrade to strengthen Sri Lanka's economic growth and enhance the ...

The Inter Unit Taekwondo Championship 2024 was conducted from 16 to 18 July 2024 and the Awards Ceremony was held at the indoor gymnasium at SLAF Base Katunayake with the graceful presence of the Director General Welfare, Air Vice Marshal PSN Fernando, as the Chief Guest.SLAF Base Ratmalana claimed the championship in the men's , while SLAF Base Katunayake secured the championship in the...

The annual SLAF Women's Wing Conference was held yesterday (18 July 2024) at the Air Force Headquarters. It was attended by SLAF Lady Officers and Airwomen from the Women's Wing, representing all female-contributing SLAF establishments. The event was chaired by the Commanding Officer of the Women's Wing, Air Commodore Subash Jayathilake.A key highlight of the conference was an awareness ...

Major General Kapila Dolage, the Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College called on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa today (17 July 2024) at Air Force Headquarters.The visiting Commandant and the Commander discussed matters of mutual interest before exchanging mementos to mark the visit. ...

The Annual SLAF Hindu Religious Ceremony was held at the Captains Garden Sri Kailasanathar Swamy Devasthanam, Colombo 10, today (17 July 2024) with the participation of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa and Chairperson of the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Enoka Rajapaksa.During the ceremony, blessings were invoked on those of the Air Force who made the supreme sa...

The Honorable Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Air Force WDRMJ Goonetileke and the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, accompanied by the Base Commander of SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva, officially handed over the newly constructed building and renovated classroom complex of the Air Force School at SLAF Base Katunayake today ...

The newly constructed Painting Booth at the General Engineering Workshop of SLAF Base Anuradhapura was declared open by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Muditha Mahawattage, today (16 July 2024).The construction of the building was undertaken by the Directorate of Civil Engineering. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Base Commander SLAF Base Anuradh...

The sacred relics and treasures were ceremoniously deposited at the historic Neelagiri Maha Seya under the auspices of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd.) today (15 July 2024). The SLAF undertook the restoration of Nilagiri Maha Seya, located in Lahugala, following instructions from the Ministry of Defence. This situates 108 kilometres from SLAF Stat...

The depositing of sacred relics and treasures at the historic Deegawapiya Stupa took place today (14 July 2024) under the auspices of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe. The ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, along with the Chairperson of the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Enoka Rajap...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, carried out the Commander's Inspection of SLAF Base Anuradhapura yesterday (12 July 2024). The Commander was received by the Base Commander, Group Captain PN Gunathilake. The Commander reviewed the Commander's Inspection Parade, which was led by the Base Commander and during the parade, certificates of commendation were present...

The Inter-Unit Wrestling Championship 2024 was held at SLAF Base Katunayake from 09 to 11 July 2024. The Director General Aeronautical Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Gihan Seneviratne, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The SLAF Station Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte claimed the Championship in the Men’s category, while the SLAF Base Vavuniya became the Runners-Up.  The Women�...

The Fire and Rescue Service of the SLAF successfully conducted a comprehensive Fire and Rescue Drill at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on 10 July 2024. A dedicated team of over 35 highly skilled SLAF firefighters and supporting staff actively participated in the exercise, which was led under the guidance of Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Lasith Sumanaweera and also unde...

As a result of the efforts of State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and the direct intervention of the Minister of Health Hon. Ramesh Pathirana, the Ministry of Health has granted approval to provide priority service to the dependents of the War Heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country and the disabled soldiers when obtaining health services from government h...

A specialized Premarital Counselling Programme was held at SLAF Base Katunayake today (10 July 2024) under the auspices of the Base Commander SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva and under the supervision of the Commanding Officer Hospital SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Commodore PAV Padmaperuma. The programme was spearheaded by the Clinical Psychologist at NHSL, Mr. Dilant...

The Inter Unit Carrom Championship – 2024 was held at SLAF Health Management Centre Colombo yesterday (09 July 2024). The awarding ceremony took place at the same venue with the graceful presence by Director General Air Operations of SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera as the Chief Guest.The tournament conducted into two segments and 11 women's teams and 13 men’s teams compete...

In a landmark achievement, the SLAF Hospital in Colombo successfully performed the first caesarean section on an airwoman today (10 July 2024). This pioneering procedure marks a significant milestone in the medical capabilities of the SLAF Hospital, demonstrating the expertise and advancing healthcare services for SLAF members and their families. The caesarean section was performed with ...

Regiment Special Forces (RSF) Wing at SLAF Station Morawewa celebrated 21st anniversary yesterday (07 July 2024). The RSF Wing was established as an integral special unit of the SLAF Regiment and it takes up a wide variety of operations, including Air Base Defence and Rescue (ABDR) Operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR), Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations, ...

The Air Force Colour Awards Ceremony 2022-2023 was held yesterday (05 July 2024) at a gala ceremony at the Eagle's Lakeside Banquet and Convention Hall. The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd) along with his lady Mrs. Chitrani Guneratne graced the occasion. Every two years, the Air Force Colour Awards ceremony shines a spotlight on the remarkable achievem...