The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy was presented with a special award by M/S Bell Helicopter Textron, in appreciation of 50 years of Bell Helicopters Operations in the Sri Lanka Air Force.  

The presentation was made when the Commander visited the Bell Helicopter Stall at the Sinagapore Airshow 2018, presently underway at the Changi Exhibition Centre.  

The SLAF continues to Operate Bell 206, 212 and 412 Helicopters.  The Commander, himself a Helicopter Pilot with over 5000 hours, accepted the award on behalf of the SLAF.