The passing-out parade for No. 172 Regular Airmen, No. 42 Regular Airwomen and No. 40 Direct Entry Airmen Basic Combat Courses took place today (13 November 2023), at three major Sri Lanka Air Force training establishments, namely SLAF Academy China Bay, SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa and SLAF Station Ampara.

The parade at China Bay was conducted as a Wet Weather Parade at the No.01 Flying Training Wing premises due to adverse weather conditions. Flight Lieutenant Pathum Bandara, the Officer In-charge Recruit Training, commanded the parade. Simultaneously, the parades at SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa and SLAF Station Ampara were commanded by Wing Commander Priyankara Jayakody, Officer Commanding Training of the Combat Training School Diyatalawa and Wing Commander Prabath Molligoda, Officer Commanding Training of SLAF Regimental Training School Ampara, respectively.

The occasions were graced by Deputy Chief of Staff,  Air Vice Marshal Nishantha Thilakasinghe, Director General Ground Operations, Air Vice Marshal Waruna Gunawardena, and Director General Construction Engineering,  Air Vice Marshal Udula Wijesinghe. They attended as Chief Guests at SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa, SLAF Station Ampara, and SLAF Academy China Bay, respectively. Commandant, Commanding Officers of the respective training establishments, senior officers and a large number of invitees from government organizations, including sister services and the Sri Lanka Police, were present. Notably, the parents of the newly passed out airmen and airwomen added to the dignified atmosphere of the event.

A total of 717 young Airmen and Airwomen proudly completed their training at the respective SLAF establishments on this significant day. The Chief Guests delivered inspirational addresses during the parade, extending heartfelt congratulations on the successful completion of Basic Ground Combat Training. They emphasized that the young Airmen and Airwomen are now integral parts of the Air Force, stressing the vital responsibility of maintaining the highest standards of integrity and discipline.