The Aerial Tribute is Launched
8:30am on Monday 17th February 2014
“The Aerial Tribute” by Dr Nirosha Mendis, the fourth Volume of the History of the Sri Lanka Air Force, was launched after nearly three years of painstaking research.
The first copies of the book were presented to His Excellency the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama.
The book was formally launched at a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum this evening, 16th February 2014. The Commander of the Air Force presented a copy to the Senior-most surviving past Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Paddy Mendis. Copies were also presented to the Chief of Defence Staff General Jagath Jayasuriya, the Security Forces Commander Mullaithivu Major General Jagath Dias, and the Chief of Staff of the SLAF Air Vice Marshal Kolitha Gunathilaka as well as other distinguished invitees.
“The Aerial Tribute” offers a unique insight into the air strategy adopted by the SLAF during the final stages of the conflict, better known as the Humanitarian Operation. Its author, a medical practitioner and a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists who received his education in Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, is an academic with a passion for history in general and military aviation in particular.
Speaking at the launch, the Commander of the Air Force spoke of the importance of “The Aerial Tribute” and thanked all those who contributed towards the successful launch. “The Aerial Tribute” will be available for purchase online and at the Air Force Museum for serving members at Rs 2,000 for one copy only, and for others at Rs. 5,000 per copy.
The first copies of the book were presented to His Excellency the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama.
The book was formally launched at a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum this evening, 16th February 2014. The Commander of the Air Force presented a copy to the Senior-most surviving past Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Paddy Mendis. Copies were also presented to the Chief of Defence Staff General Jagath Jayasuriya, the Security Forces Commander Mullaithivu Major General Jagath Dias, and the Chief of Staff of the SLAF Air Vice Marshal Kolitha Gunathilaka as well as other distinguished invitees.
“The Aerial Tribute” offers a unique insight into the air strategy adopted by the SLAF during the final stages of the conflict, better known as the Humanitarian Operation. Its author, a medical practitioner and a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists who received his education in Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, is an academic with a passion for history in general and military aviation in particular.
Speaking at the launch, the Commander of the Air Force spoke of the importance of “The Aerial Tribute” and thanked all those who contributed towards the successful launch. “The Aerial Tribute” will be available for purchase online and at the Air Force Museum for serving members at Rs 2,000 for one copy only, and for others at Rs. 5,000 per copy.
