45 Officer Cadets and 10 Lady Officer Cadets from the 59th and 60th Officer Cadet Intakes, the 11th and 12th Lady Officer Cadet Intakes and the 34th Kotelawala Defence University Intake passed out from SLAF Academy China Bay this morning (17 January 2020). In addition to the commissioning of Officer Cadets, those who completed their Flight Cadets Course received their Flying Brevets as well.

The Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa graced the parade as the Chief Guest on the invitation of Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias.

The Governor of the Eastern Province, Hon. Mrs. Anuradha Yahampath, the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, members of the Air Force Board of Management, the Commandant of the SLAF Academy China Bay, Air Commodore RAUP Rajapaksa and Senior Officers of the SL Army, Navy, and Police serving in the Trincomalee District also participated for the event.

The parade was commanded by the, Group Captain Nilantha Piyasena. The Commissioning of Officer Cadets took place with the Chief Guest handing over the ceremonial swords to the newly commissioned officers. The Parade Commander handed over the proceedings of the parade to the newly commissioned Parade Commander Pilot Officer Buddika Pathiraja who thereafter commanded the parade. Following the inspection of the parade by the Chief Guest, the parade marched past the main saluting dais in slow march and in quick march entirely commanded by newly commissioned officers. The Chief Guest pinned on Flying Brevets on 10 newly commissioned pilots as well.

The Sword of Honour presented by Group Captain NR Rahim which is awarded to the Best All Round Officer Cadet, was awarded to Pilot Officer NGBI Pathiraja of the 59th Intake and to Pilot Officer RMPKD Rathnayaka of the 60th Intake. Pilot Officer Buddika Pathiraja is a proud product of St.Sylvester’s College, Kandy while Pilot Officer Kalpa Rathnayaka is a proud product of Trinity College, Kandy.

The parade was followed by a colorful Military Band Display by the Ceremonial Band of the Sri Lanka Air Force and a Drill Display by the No 43 Colour Wing of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Following the Drill Display the Chief Guest departed the parade square marking the end of the Wings Awarding and Commissioning Parade.