Chief or Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik paid a floral tribute to the soldiers of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), who made the supreme sacrifice during their tenure in Sri Lanka.

The Air Chief made the tribute at a ceremony held in front of the IPKF memorial, Battaramulla
today on 17th January, 2011.

The Indian Air Chief attended the event as part of his 4 day official visit to the island.

Over 1000 IPKF soldiers lost their lives whilst battling against the LTTE combatants.

The Chief of SLAF Staff , Air vice Marshal PB Premachandra, Director Aeronautical Engineering Air Commodore PDJ Kumarasiri, Director Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Air Commodore  RJ Pathirage were present at the occasion which was also attended by several SLAF Officers and other ranks personnel.