SLAF BASE KATUNAYAKE CELEBRATES 71ST ANNIVERSARY
12:13pm on Friday 2nd September 2022
Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake celebrated its 71stAnniversary yesterday (01 September 2022). SLAF Base Katunayake was initially established by the Royal Air Force in 1940 to serve as a transit base. After Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, Katunayake Base was re-opened as a flying wing with 4 Chipmunk aircraft on 01st September 1951. The first Commanding Officer of this Base was Squadron Leader LG Lang and to date, 45 officers have commanded this base. At present SLAF Base Katunayake is commanded by Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera.
In line with the 71st anniversary of the Base, a Shramadana campaign was conducted at the Abesekararamaya – Negombo, Awariyawatta Temple, Wijayaramaya ,Katuwapitiya church and Mahosu Child Development Centre Minuwangoda, on 23 August 2022. Also, a blood donation campaign was conducted at the sport arena complex inside the Base on 29 August 2022 with the coordination of Hospital SLAF Base Katunayake. Both events were successfully completed under the supervision and guidance of the Base Commander, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera.
The celebration commenced with the Base Commander’s address to all Officers, other ranks and civil staff at the Base followed by a tree planting ceremony which was held at the front ground area at the Base Headquarters. As a continuation of the celebrations, netball and a cricket match were played at the Base sport ground. A musical show was conducted inside the sport arena complex as the final event of the 71st anniversary day and the Base Commander of SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, officers, other ranks including their families were participated to the event.
In line with the 71st anniversary of the Base, a Shramadana campaign was conducted at the Abesekararamaya – Negombo, Awariyawatta Temple, Wijayaramaya ,Katuwapitiya church and Mahosu Child Development Centre Minuwangoda, on 23 August 2022. Also, a blood donation campaign was conducted at the sport arena complex inside the Base on 29 August 2022 with the coordination of Hospital SLAF Base Katunayake. Both events were successfully completed under the supervision and guidance of the Base Commander, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera.
The celebration commenced with the Base Commander’s address to all Officers, other ranks and civil staff at the Base followed by a tree planting ceremony which was held at the front ground area at the Base Headquarters. As a continuation of the celebrations, netball and a cricket match were played at the Base sport ground. A musical show was conducted inside the sport arena complex as the final event of the 71st anniversary day and the Base Commander of SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, officers, other ranks including their families were participated to the event.
