Sri Lanka Air Force 60th Anniversary celebrations conducted in grandeur
9:47am on Thursday 3rd March 2011
The glory and honour of six eventful decades was proudly celebrated at SLAF Base Ratmalana on 2 March, 2011 with a grand commemorative parade and a fly past.
His Excellency the President and Commander in Chief of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, Mahinda Rajapaksa took the salute as Chief Guest at the momentous event in the history of the Air Force when he inspected the Guard of Honour alongside the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama.
1,400 Officers and Airmen slow marched in unison under the majestic SLAF ensign at the 60th anniversary commemorative parade which also carried the 9 Presidential Colours awarded to the SLAF and its integral units for the excellence in service rendered to the nation.
President Rajapaksa praised the remarkable training and discipline of the Sri Lanka Air Force which helped to liberate the nation while delivering the keynote address at the celebrations. The Head of State emphasized the importance of utilizing the very same capabilities to assist in the development process of the country, of which the SLAF is an active participant.
As the parade concluded accompanied by the rhythmic unison of the Air Force Band, the distinguished audience had the fortune of witnessing a magnificent fly past by the talented air crews of the SLAF. Led by a fleet of transport and attack helicopters, with a Bell 412 carrying the National Flag, the fly past continued with training and fighter jets which flew in impeccable formation.
The revered De Havilland Tiger Moth, which commenced its journey in the skies long years back, was also featured in the fly past whilst a series of vintage vehicles were also paraded on the runway simultaneously.
Following the celebrations, a commemoration stamp and a new 2 Rupee coin to mark the occasion were issued at the premises and thereafter the Sri Lanka Air Force 60th Anniversary Exhibition and Carnival was officially declared open by His Excellancy the President. The Exhibition and Carnival will continue untill 8 March, 2011.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Hon. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, Minister of Post and Telecommunications Jeewan Kumaratunga, Minister of Aviation Services Priyankara Jayarathne, Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga were amongst the distinguished guests at the event.
His Excellency the President and Commander in Chief of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, Mahinda Rajapaksa took the salute as Chief Guest at the momentous event in the history of the Air Force when he inspected the Guard of Honour alongside the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama.
1,400 Officers and Airmen slow marched in unison under the majestic SLAF ensign at the 60th anniversary commemorative parade which also carried the 9 Presidential Colours awarded to the SLAF and its integral units for the excellence in service rendered to the nation.
President Rajapaksa praised the remarkable training and discipline of the Sri Lanka Air Force which helped to liberate the nation while delivering the keynote address at the celebrations. The Head of State emphasized the importance of utilizing the very same capabilities to assist in the development process of the country, of which the SLAF is an active participant.
As the parade concluded accompanied by the rhythmic unison of the Air Force Band, the distinguished audience had the fortune of witnessing a magnificent fly past by the talented air crews of the SLAF. Led by a fleet of transport and attack helicopters, with a Bell 412 carrying the National Flag, the fly past continued with training and fighter jets which flew in impeccable formation.
The revered De Havilland Tiger Moth, which commenced its journey in the skies long years back, was also featured in the fly past whilst a series of vintage vehicles were also paraded on the runway simultaneously.
Following the celebrations, a commemoration stamp and a new 2 Rupee coin to mark the occasion were issued at the premises and thereafter the Sri Lanka Air Force 60th Anniversary Exhibition and Carnival was officially declared open by His Excellancy the President. The Exhibition and Carnival will continue untill 8 March, 2011.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Hon. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, Minister of Post and Telecommunications Jeewan Kumaratunga, Minister of Aviation Services Priyankara Jayarathne, Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga were amongst the distinguished guests at the event.
