SLAF Band Celebrated its 43rd Anniversary
12:42am on Sunday 7th July 2013
An eventful day of community service marked the celebration of the 43rd Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force Band on 1st July 2013.
Coinciding with the Formation day celebrations a Shramadana programme was organized at the St Anne’s Church Kurana, Sri Ganapathi Kovil Dawatagahawattha, Prasanna Child Development Centre Demanhandiya and Sri Shobharamaya Temple Kadirana. The villagers expressed their gratitude to the SLAF for beautifying these public areas which they said was a highly felt need.
A formation which quietly took shape in the early days of AVM Paddy Mendis's command period and which remained largely unsung - was the Air Force Band. The formation of the Air Forces Military Band has been described as a thoughtful concept, introduced by Flight Lieutenant MJT De S Gunawardena, in the era of Air Commodore PH Mendis - Commander of the RCyAF. (MJT De S Gunawardena himself was later to command the SLAF and both he and PH Mendis hold the rank of Air Chief Marshal).
Twelve pioneer airmen were posted to the Sri Lanka Navy, Welisara to follow basic training and guidance under the late Commander Premalal Danwatte - at the time a Lieutenant and Director of Music at the SLN. Initial training was in Bugling and Drumming. In 1973 another twelve volunteer airmen were recruited to the Band.
Thus the first Air Force Military Band, consisting of 24 musicians and a JNCO in charge - Cpl Morris KADA, arrived back at the SLAF Regiment, Katunayake. The first Bandmaster was Chief Petty Officer, MPH Bartholomeusz - commissioned on 15th June 1976 in the rank of Pilot Officer.
Coinciding with the Formation day celebrations a Shramadana programme was organized at the St Anne’s Church Kurana, Sri Ganapathi Kovil Dawatagahawattha, Prasanna Child Development Centre Demanhandiya and Sri Shobharamaya Temple Kadirana. The villagers expressed their gratitude to the SLAF for beautifying these public areas which they said was a highly felt need.
A formation which quietly took shape in the early days of AVM Paddy Mendis's command period and which remained largely unsung - was the Air Force Band. The formation of the Air Forces Military Band has been described as a thoughtful concept, introduced by Flight Lieutenant MJT De S Gunawardena, in the era of Air Commodore PH Mendis - Commander of the RCyAF. (MJT De S Gunawardena himself was later to command the SLAF and both he and PH Mendis hold the rank of Air Chief Marshal).
Twelve pioneer airmen were posted to the Sri Lanka Navy, Welisara to follow basic training and guidance under the late Commander Premalal Danwatte - at the time a Lieutenant and Director of Music at the SLN. Initial training was in Bugling and Drumming. In 1973 another twelve volunteer airmen were recruited to the Band.
Thus the first Air Force Military Band, consisting of 24 musicians and a JNCO in charge - Cpl Morris KADA, arrived back at the SLAF Regiment, Katunayake. The first Bandmaster was Chief Petty Officer, MPH Bartholomeusz - commissioned on 15th June 1976 in the rank of Pilot Officer.
