The Sri Lanka Air Force joins in the 72nd Independence Celebrations
2:11pm on Tuesday 4th February 2020
The 72nd anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence was celebrated this this year, centered on the magnificent edifice that was built to commemorate Sri Lanka’s gaining of independence from the British in 1948, The Independence Square.
Built in the style of the Magul Maduwa in Kandy, by the then government of Sri Lanka, this complex was constructed so as to symbolize the splendour of the nation with adequate seating accommodation for the total number of 224 persons who represent as the members of parliament and the members of Senate and with seating accommodation for 25,000 persons in the open area outside the hall and with ground space around the hall which can accommodate 100,000 people.
Independence square was the venue for the Independence Day celebrations in the intial years, and it is this tradition that was renewed once again this year, as Independence Square was once again decorated to suit the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day of Sri Lanka which was celebrated with great pomp and pageantry today (4th February 2018).
The arrival of His Excellency the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the First Lady Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa marked the commencement of this year’s celebrations. The Speaker of Parliament, the Governor of the Western Province, Ministers, the Chief Justice, the Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force, the Admiral of the Fleet, Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces of the Russian Federation, General of the Army, Oleg Salyukov, Tri-Service Commanders, the Acting Inspector General of the Police, State Secretaries, Diplomats and other distinguished dignitaries also graced the occasion. Religious dignitaries, Ambassadors and a massive crowd of spectators were also present at this historical venue to witness today’s proceedings.
The National Flag was hoisted by His Excellency the President amidst the beating of “magul bera” and blowing of conch shells followed by the singing of the National Anthem by school children. Later, the three service Commanders and the Acting Inspector General of the Police conducted the President to the special dais, opposite which school girls recited Jayamangala Gatha to invoke blessings of the noble Triple Gem on the Nation and also the “Devo Vassatu Kalena” to bless the Nation.
Subsequently, a Guard of Honour followed by a twenty-one gun salute was accorded to the President by the Armed Forces. Thereafter, His Excellency the President delivered his Independence Day address to the nation.
Director Air Operations of SLAF Air Vice Marshal Ravi Jayasinghe coordinated the Independence Day Fly Past, comprising 30 Aircraft including a Bell 212 Helicopter, three Bell 412 Helicopters, four MI-17 Helicopters, five Cessna 150 Basic Trainer Aircraft, three PT-6 Basic Trainer Aircraft, four Y-12 Light Transport Aircraft, a B 200 Surveillance Aircraft, an MA 60 Passenger Transport Aircraft, three K-8 Advance Jet Trainer Aircraft and three F 7 Fighter Jet Aircraft.
Group Captain Nandika Salgado, Squadron Leader Chanaka Maligaspe, Flight Lieutenant Eranga Gamage and Flight Lieutenant Tharaka Bakmeedeniya navigated the fly past while the Aerial Display was coordinated by Air Commodore Sampath Thuiyacontha, Group Captain Pradeep Piyaratne and Wing Commander Sanoj Jayaratne.
Air Commodore Udeni Rajapaksa represented the Sri Lanka Air Force as Overall Parade Commander. 55 Officers, 832 Airmen and Airwomen participated in the parade and presented their salute to His Excellency the President. The SLAF parade comprising five Squadrons was commanded by Wing Commander Ananda Kumarasiri while Squadron Leader Janaka Hettiarachchi commanded the Tri Services Ceremonial band at the Parade. The first squadron was commanded by Squadron Leader Athula Premachandra, the second squadron was commanded by Squadron Leader Prasad Kulathunga and the third squadron which was made up of airwomen was commanded by Squadron Leader Shakila Ekanayake.
Next, the Special Air Borne Force led by Squadron Leader Bhanuka Bandara presented their salute to His Excellency the President followed by the Regiment Special Force Squadron who marched under the leadership of Wing Commander Thusitha Nandaka Kumara.
Built in the style of the Magul Maduwa in Kandy, by the then government of Sri Lanka, this complex was constructed so as to symbolize the splendour of the nation with adequate seating accommodation for the total number of 224 persons who represent as the members of parliament and the members of Senate and with seating accommodation for 25,000 persons in the open area outside the hall and with ground space around the hall which can accommodate 100,000 people.
Independence square was the venue for the Independence Day celebrations in the intial years, and it is this tradition that was renewed once again this year, as Independence Square was once again decorated to suit the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day of Sri Lanka which was celebrated with great pomp and pageantry today (4th February 2018).
The arrival of His Excellency the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the First Lady Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa marked the commencement of this year’s celebrations. The Speaker of Parliament, the Governor of the Western Province, Ministers, the Chief Justice, the Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force, the Admiral of the Fleet, Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces of the Russian Federation, General of the Army, Oleg Salyukov, Tri-Service Commanders, the Acting Inspector General of the Police, State Secretaries, Diplomats and other distinguished dignitaries also graced the occasion. Religious dignitaries, Ambassadors and a massive crowd of spectators were also present at this historical venue to witness today’s proceedings.
The National Flag was hoisted by His Excellency the President amidst the beating of “magul bera” and blowing of conch shells followed by the singing of the National Anthem by school children. Later, the three service Commanders and the Acting Inspector General of the Police conducted the President to the special dais, opposite which school girls recited Jayamangala Gatha to invoke blessings of the noble Triple Gem on the Nation and also the “Devo Vassatu Kalena” to bless the Nation.
Subsequently, a Guard of Honour followed by a twenty-one gun salute was accorded to the President by the Armed Forces. Thereafter, His Excellency the President delivered his Independence Day address to the nation.
Director Air Operations of SLAF Air Vice Marshal Ravi Jayasinghe coordinated the Independence Day Fly Past, comprising 30 Aircraft including a Bell 212 Helicopter, three Bell 412 Helicopters, four MI-17 Helicopters, five Cessna 150 Basic Trainer Aircraft, three PT-6 Basic Trainer Aircraft, four Y-12 Light Transport Aircraft, a B 200 Surveillance Aircraft, an MA 60 Passenger Transport Aircraft, three K-8 Advance Jet Trainer Aircraft and three F 7 Fighter Jet Aircraft.
Group Captain Nandika Salgado, Squadron Leader Chanaka Maligaspe, Flight Lieutenant Eranga Gamage and Flight Lieutenant Tharaka Bakmeedeniya navigated the fly past while the Aerial Display was coordinated by Air Commodore Sampath Thuiyacontha, Group Captain Pradeep Piyaratne and Wing Commander Sanoj Jayaratne.
Air Commodore Udeni Rajapaksa represented the Sri Lanka Air Force as Overall Parade Commander. 55 Officers, 832 Airmen and Airwomen participated in the parade and presented their salute to His Excellency the President. The SLAF parade comprising five Squadrons was commanded by Wing Commander Ananda Kumarasiri while Squadron Leader Janaka Hettiarachchi commanded the Tri Services Ceremonial band at the Parade. The first squadron was commanded by Squadron Leader Athula Premachandra, the second squadron was commanded by Squadron Leader Prasad Kulathunga and the third squadron which was made up of airwomen was commanded by Squadron Leader Shakila Ekanayake.
Next, the Special Air Borne Force led by Squadron Leader Bhanuka Bandara presented their salute to His Excellency the President followed by the Regiment Special Force Squadron who marched under the leadership of Wing Commander Thusitha Nandaka Kumara.
