SLAF Station Diyatalawa narrowly edged out SLAF Base Ratmalana in a keenly contested game this evening (26th April 2010) at Ratmalana. The boys from Diyatalawa edged forward in the early part of the first half after Winger, Officer Cadet RJM Goonatilleke went over for an unconverted try.

The game was one of missed opportunities in both penalties and tries for both teams.During the Semi Final stage SLAF Diyatalawa beat SLAF Regiment Katunayaka by 16-05 and SLAF Base Ratmalana beat  SLAF Academy China Bay 12-08 to enter the finals.


The highlight of the finals was history being repeated, when young Officer Cadet RJM Goonetilleke was introduced to the Chief Guest, his father, Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshall Roshan Goonatilleke by the Captain of SLAF Station Diyatalawa this evening.

Thirty one years ago in 1979, at Katunayake, at an Inter Unit Rugby final between Base Kat and the SLAF Academy Chinabay, Officer Cadet WDRMJ Goonetilleke (the present Commander) was introduced to the then Commander Air Vice Marshall Harry Goonetilleke.  History indeed repeats its-self in more ways than once.

The black and white photograph depicts the event that occurred in 1979 whilst the colour photo shows this evenings repetition of history.