A Press Conference chaired by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, on the Colombo Air Symposium 2019 was held today (22 October 2019) at the Air Force Headquarters Auditorium.

This, the fifth installment of the Colombo Air Symposium, will focus on the theme “A Small Air Force: Way Forward in Achieving Future Vision”.  Over 40 Military leaders, technical experts, global think tanks and diplomats representing all regions of the world will come together at Eagles’ Lakeside Banquet and Convention Hall, Attidiya, Colombo on the 24th and 25th of October 2019 to share their knowledge and proficiency to build up global airpower to address common challenges imposed by our collective future.

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias speaking to media personnel during a press briefing stated that the Colombo Air Symposium is one of the prominent international events that brings together global experts on airpower to a common platform that discusses national, regional and global issues.

He also stressed that the SLAF has made many changes base on the outcome of previous editions of the Colombo Air Symposium. These changes include the establishing of the Air Force Doctrine and the re-establishment of the No 3 Maritime Squadron.

Apart from the Commander, Director Training, Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Payoe, Chairman Air Symposium and Commandant SLAF Academy China Bay, Air Commodore Udeni Rajapaksa, Acting Director Media, Wing Commander Ijeshe Chandratilleke, Secretary Colombo Air Symposium 2019, Wing Commander DMS Rangodage made up the panel from the Air Force.

There were a large number of journalists from the electronic and print media to gather information regarding this year’s edition of the Colombo Air Symposium.