The ‘Bakmaha Diwuruma’ or the “April Pledge”, to eradicate the drug menace was made by the Sri Lanka Air Force together with the SL Army, Navy and Police at the Independence Square today (3 April 2019) under the patronage of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy attended for the official ceremony along with the Secretary of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and the Commander of the Navy.

The ceremony was also attended by the Prime Minister, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers and many Members of Parliament.

The main ceremony for members of the SLAF was held at Air Force Headquarters and the “Bakmaha Diwuruma” was conferred on all members by the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sumangala Dias. Members of the Air Force Board of Management, All Officers, Other Ranks and Civilians participated for the event. Following the oath, arrangements were made for all members of AFHQ and Station Colombo to witness official ceremony held at Independent Square. Simultaneously, all personnel at all SLAF establishments also took the “Bakmaha Diwuruma” and witnessed the official “Bakmaha Diwuruma”.