Sri Lanka Air Force Joins in the 68th Independence Day Celebrations
4:18pm on Thursday 4th February 2016
As thousands of national flags fluttered in the breeze all around, the 68th National Independence day of Sri Lanka was celebrated with parades and pageants at Galle Face Green on 4th February 2016.
The main ceremony was dignified by the presence of His Excellency, the President Maithripala Sirisena and the First Lady Mrs. Sirisena. The Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Governor of the Western Province, Ministers, the Chief Justice, and Tri-Service Commanders, the Inspector General of the Police, State Secretaries, Diplomats and other distinguished dignitaries also graced the occasion. Religious dignitaries, Ambassadors and a massive crowd of spectators were present at the historical venue in Galle Face Green to witness the National Day proceedings.
The celebrations commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by His Excellency the President amidst the beating of “magul bera” and blowing of conch shells. Later, three service Commanders and the Inspector General of the Police conducted the President to the special dais, opposite which twenty-five school girls recited Jayamangala Gatha to invoke blessings of the noble Triple Gem on the Nation and also the “Devo Vassatu Kalena” stanza to bless the Nation.
Subsequently, a Guard of Honour followed by a twenty-one gun salute was accorded to the President by the Armed Forces. Thereafter, His Excellency the President delivered the address to the nation.
Air Commodore Sudarshana Pathirana coordinated the Flypast, comprises of 23 Aircraft including one Bell 212, three Bell 412, four MI 17, four Y 12, two B 200, one C 130, one AN 32, one MA 60, three K 8, one Kfir and two F 7 aircraft. Air Commodore Sampath Thuyyakonta represented the Sri Lanka Air Force as overall parade commander. Wing Commander Amitha Jayamaha Navigated the Flypast and Air Traffic Controlling was coordinated by Wing Commander Senaka Ruwanpathirana. 60 Officers and 720 Airmen and Airwomen were joined the parade with the SLAF parade Band comprised 275 Airmen and 2 officers to salute the President. The SLAF parade comprising five Squadrons was commanded by Wg Cdr Humal Dharmadasa.
The main ceremony was dignified by the presence of His Excellency, the President Maithripala Sirisena and the First Lady Mrs. Sirisena. The Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Governor of the Western Province, Ministers, the Chief Justice, and Tri-Service Commanders, the Inspector General of the Police, State Secretaries, Diplomats and other distinguished dignitaries also graced the occasion. Religious dignitaries, Ambassadors and a massive crowd of spectators were present at the historical venue in Galle Face Green to witness the National Day proceedings.
The celebrations commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by His Excellency the President amidst the beating of “magul bera” and blowing of conch shells. Later, three service Commanders and the Inspector General of the Police conducted the President to the special dais, opposite which twenty-five school girls recited Jayamangala Gatha to invoke blessings of the noble Triple Gem on the Nation and also the “Devo Vassatu Kalena” stanza to bless the Nation.
Subsequently, a Guard of Honour followed by a twenty-one gun salute was accorded to the President by the Armed Forces. Thereafter, His Excellency the President delivered the address to the nation.
Air Commodore Sudarshana Pathirana coordinated the Flypast, comprises of 23 Aircraft including one Bell 212, three Bell 412, four MI 17, four Y 12, two B 200, one C 130, one AN 32, one MA 60, three K 8, one Kfir and two F 7 aircraft. Air Commodore Sampath Thuyyakonta represented the Sri Lanka Air Force as overall parade commander. Wing Commander Amitha Jayamaha Navigated the Flypast and Air Traffic Controlling was coordinated by Wing Commander Senaka Ruwanpathirana. 60 Officers and 720 Airmen and Airwomen were joined the parade with the SLAF parade Band comprised 275 Airmen and 2 officers to salute the President. The SLAF parade comprising five Squadrons was commanded by Wg Cdr Humal Dharmadasa.
