SRI LANKA AIR FORCE CELEBRATES 70 YEARS AS “GUARDIANS OF THE SKIES”
2:34pm on Wednesday 3rd March 2021
The Sri Lanka Air Force which was established in the year 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force on a day such as yesterday (02 March 2021) and thus celebrated 70 years of guarding the skies above our beloved mother land, Sri Lanka. The official anniversary parade was held yesterday morning at SLAF Base Katunayake under the auspices of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana. In line with the 70th anniversary and on the instructions of the Commander of the Air Force, 467 Officers and 7,290 Other Rankers were also given their promotions.
Yesterday’s anniversary parade comprised of 3 Squadrons and 12 flights was commanded by Air Commodore Thushara Weeraratne. The first Squadron was commanded by Wing Commander Jayaratne Amarasinghe, the second Squadron by Wing Commander Dilan Gordon and the third Squadron by Wing Commander Chamila Hiripitiya. The Parade Adjutant was Squadron Leader Prabath Seneviratne and the Parade Warrant Officer was Warrant Officer RD Susantha.
During the parade the Commander made his official anniversary address to those present at Katunayake and to the entire SLAF membership who were connected through a live streamed video feed which was made available to all Air Force establishments.
The Commander commenced his address by paying tribute to those past members of the SLAF who either made the supreme sacrifice or were rendered differently abled due to injuries sustained. He also paid tribute to past Commanders of the Air Force, Officers, Other Ranks and Civilians who through their dedication, powered the Air Force to over come one of the most ruthless terrorist outfits the world has ever seen and to bring lasting peace to our island nation. The Commander mentioned that he intended to strengthen the maritime surveillance capabilities of the Air Force by acquiring the required technological expertise and enhance the aircraft inventory to better serve the requirement. He reminded everyone that as member of the Sri Lanka Air Force, we are required to shoulder the responsibility of directly or indirectly participating in nation building. The Commander also mentioned that this year, the SLAF is actively participating in large scale nation building projects such as the total renovation of the Kanugahawewa Village in the Kebithigollewa Area. He also spoke of his plans for the construction of a modern and highly equipped Air Force Hospital, construction of much needed Officer Married Quarters as well as Airmen Married Quarters there by improving the quality of life of the SLAF membership. The Commander finally reminded all members of the Air Force to keep in mind that they should dedicate their efforts towards taking our nation forward in line with the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor” brought forward by His Excellency the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa by empowering its quadruple objectives which are, a Productive Citizen, a Happy Family, an Obedient, Disciplined and Fair Society and a prosperous nation.
On completion of the Anniversary Parade, the Commander proceeded to the Southern Command and Base Headquarters where the launch of the Sri Lanka Air Force 70th Anniversary Special Commemorative Cover, Stamp and the Official Theme Song was carried out. The Postmaster General, Mr. Ranjith Ariyarathne issued the first Sri Lanka Air Force 70th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp and Cover to the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana. After which, all other distinguished guests were issued with the Sri Lanka Air Force 70th Anniversary Special Commemorative Cover and Stamp. Following that event, came one of the most awaited moments of the SLAF Anniversary Day itinerary where the Commander along with Mr. Bathiya Jayakody and Mr. Santhush Weeraman popularly known as “BnS” launched the 70th Anniversary Theme Song.
The Commander then proceeded to attend for multi religious activities where blessings were invoked on all members of the Air Force presently serving and on those who served in the Air Force during the past 7 decades. The line up of events at SLAF Base Katunayake concluded with the traditional sports activities which was also attended by the Commander. The Chief of Staff, Members of the Air Force Board of Management, a cross section of Officers and Other Ranks participated for the events at Katunayake.
The line up of events for the 70 Air Force Anniversary Day culminated with the traditional Cocktail which was held the Eagles’ Lakeside Banquet and Convention Hall at Aththidiya. The gala evening was graced by the Minister of Irrigation, State Minister of National Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest. The Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and State Ministry of National Security and Disaster Management, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), the Acting Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna along with other distinguished guests which included former Commanders of the Air Force as well as retired Officers, Members of the Air Force Board of Management along with their ladies, a cross section of serving Officers and Other Ranks participated for this gala event.
All events of the Air Force Anniversary Day celebrations were conducted with strict adherence to health guidelines which have been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Yesterday’s anniversary parade comprised of 3 Squadrons and 12 flights was commanded by Air Commodore Thushara Weeraratne. The first Squadron was commanded by Wing Commander Jayaratne Amarasinghe, the second Squadron by Wing Commander Dilan Gordon and the third Squadron by Wing Commander Chamila Hiripitiya. The Parade Adjutant was Squadron Leader Prabath Seneviratne and the Parade Warrant Officer was Warrant Officer RD Susantha.
During the parade the Commander made his official anniversary address to those present at Katunayake and to the entire SLAF membership who were connected through a live streamed video feed which was made available to all Air Force establishments.
The Commander commenced his address by paying tribute to those past members of the SLAF who either made the supreme sacrifice or were rendered differently abled due to injuries sustained. He also paid tribute to past Commanders of the Air Force, Officers, Other Ranks and Civilians who through their dedication, powered the Air Force to over come one of the most ruthless terrorist outfits the world has ever seen and to bring lasting peace to our island nation. The Commander mentioned that he intended to strengthen the maritime surveillance capabilities of the Air Force by acquiring the required technological expertise and enhance the aircraft inventory to better serve the requirement. He reminded everyone that as member of the Sri Lanka Air Force, we are required to shoulder the responsibility of directly or indirectly participating in nation building. The Commander also mentioned that this year, the SLAF is actively participating in large scale nation building projects such as the total renovation of the Kanugahawewa Village in the Kebithigollewa Area. He also spoke of his plans for the construction of a modern and highly equipped Air Force Hospital, construction of much needed Officer Married Quarters as well as Airmen Married Quarters there by improving the quality of life of the SLAF membership. The Commander finally reminded all members of the Air Force to keep in mind that they should dedicate their efforts towards taking our nation forward in line with the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor” brought forward by His Excellency the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa by empowering its quadruple objectives which are, a Productive Citizen, a Happy Family, an Obedient, Disciplined and Fair Society and a prosperous nation.
On completion of the Anniversary Parade, the Commander proceeded to the Southern Command and Base Headquarters where the launch of the Sri Lanka Air Force 70th Anniversary Special Commemorative Cover, Stamp and the Official Theme Song was carried out. The Postmaster General, Mr. Ranjith Ariyarathne issued the first Sri Lanka Air Force 70th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp and Cover to the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana. After which, all other distinguished guests were issued with the Sri Lanka Air Force 70th Anniversary Special Commemorative Cover and Stamp. Following that event, came one of the most awaited moments of the SLAF Anniversary Day itinerary where the Commander along with Mr. Bathiya Jayakody and Mr. Santhush Weeraman popularly known as “BnS” launched the 70th Anniversary Theme Song.
The Commander then proceeded to attend for multi religious activities where blessings were invoked on all members of the Air Force presently serving and on those who served in the Air Force during the past 7 decades. The line up of events at SLAF Base Katunayake concluded with the traditional sports activities which was also attended by the Commander. The Chief of Staff, Members of the Air Force Board of Management, a cross section of Officers and Other Ranks participated for the events at Katunayake.
The line up of events for the 70 Air Force Anniversary Day culminated with the traditional Cocktail which was held the Eagles’ Lakeside Banquet and Convention Hall at Aththidiya. The gala evening was graced by the Minister of Irrigation, State Minister of National Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest. The Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and State Ministry of National Security and Disaster Management, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), the Acting Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna along with other distinguished guests which included former Commanders of the Air Force as well as retired Officers, Members of the Air Force Board of Management along with their ladies, a cross section of serving Officers and Other Ranks participated for this gala event.
All events of the Air Force Anniversary Day celebrations were conducted with strict adherence to health guidelines which have been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
SLAF 70th Anniversary Theme Song
