The Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema, returned to the island today (13th)  after concluding a five day visit to the Russian Federation where he took part in the Russian Air Force’s Centenary celebrations.

The SLAF chief was in the Russian Federation from 9 to 13 August on invitation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Federation Air Forces. During the course of his visit he took part in the International Military Demonstration Conference ‘Shared Sky’ which was attended by Russian Ministry of Defence Leadership and Air Force Commanders of a number of other countries.

The invitees to Russia’s Air Force Centenary celebrations also got the opportunity to witness the Russian Air Force’s ‘Legends of Aviation’ and present fleet at the air show which was held over a period of three days. The Commander also met Colonel (rtd) Boris Valentinovich Volynov, a Cosmonaut who flew on the then Soviet space programmes Soyuz 5 and Soyuz 21.

Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema also held bilateral discussions with his Russian counterpart; Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force Colonel-General Viktor Bondarev, where matters of mutual interest was discussed and plaques, marking the occasion, were exchanged.

The Commander was accompanied by Air Commodore Sudarshana Pathirana and Wing Commander Hiyumal Dharmadasa.