SUNSET COMMISSIONING PARADE UNVEILS A NEW ERA OF LEADERSHIP AT SLAF ACADEMY CHINA BAY
9:05pm on Thursday 16th January 2025
It was a moment of utmost pride and glory for the Sri Lanka Air Force when it held the Sunset Commissioning Parade today evening (16 January 2025) of the No. 66 Officer Cadets Intake, No. 67 Officer Cadets Intake and No. 19 Lady Officer Cadets Intake, the No. 37 and No.39 Kotelawala Defence University Intakes comprising a total of 84 Male Officers and Lady Officers.
On the invitation of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) took the salute as the Chief Guest at this historical occasion, which was held at the SLAF Academy in China Bay. As the gesture of the commencement of the proceedings, an aerial salute was honoured by one K-8 aircraft to the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, after the arrival to the Saluting Dais.
The day’s proceedings began on a grand note with the Commissioning Parade led by the Commanding Officer of Ground Training Wing, Sri Lanka Air Force Academy China Bay, Group Captain Nirosha Senadeera marching on to the Parade Ground. The parade, which consisted of three Squadrons, nine Flights and the Formation Standards which is awarded to the SLAF Academy China Bay, conferred a Ceremonial General Salute to the Chief Guest. Following the salute was the highlight of the day’s agenda, the commissioning of the 84 Officer Cadets and Lady Officer Cadets as Pilot Officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
This was the culmination of nearly three years of intensive training and dedications by the Officers who were from different branches, namely General Duties Pilot, Aeronautical and General Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Operations Air, Administrative, Regiment, Logistics and Provost. Having begun initial training at the Combat Training School in Diyatalawa and at the Kotelawala Defence University, these Officers subsequently completed their Service Administration, Academic Studies Module and Specialized Branch modules at the Flying and Ground Training Wings in China Bay and the Combat Training School in Diyatalawa.
At the momentous occasion of the Commissioning of young officers, a flypast containing two Cessna – 150 aircraft, two Y-12 aircraft and one K-8 aircraft flew above in the sky adding more brilliance to the sunset and congratulating the new beginning of the young men and women in the Sri Lanka Air Force.
During the awarding ceremony, prior to the presentation of trophies for special achievements, ten Officer Cadets who had successfully completed their flying training received their Flying Brevets from the Chief Guest. This significant milestone was marked by a concurrent flypast, featuring one Bell 212 and two Bell 412 helicopters soaring through the skies, symbolizing the accomplishment of these aspiring aviators.
Following the pinning of Flying Brevets, the Chief Guest awarded trophies to officers and lady officers in recognition of their outstanding achievements in their respective training modules. Among these prestigious accolades, the "Sword of Honour" was presented to Pilot Officer JMS Savindi from the No. 67 Officer Cadet Intake and the No. 19 Lady Officer Cadets Intake. This award, presented by Group Captain NR Raheem, is conferred upon the Officer Cadet who has attained the highest results in both academic and professional studies while demonstrating exemplary all-round performance throughout the course across all branches.
Moreover, the "Sword of Eagle," a distinguished honour presented by Air Chief Marshal SK Pathirana, was awarded to Pilot Officer RN Jayalath for being the Best Student Officer in the General Duties Pilot Branch.
During the address made by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, reminded the newly commissioned officers that “you solemnly swear an oath to be responsible and accountable for the human resources, aircraft and various equipment that will be made available under your command. Remember, these resources given to you are sustained by the general public of this country with utmost difficulties. Thus, you all have to bear in mind that one simple mistake could result with catastrophic failures which undermine the credibility and confidence that you have been bestowed upon by the citizens of this country”. Eventually, newly Commissioned young Officers marched out from the parade square in upholding the ultimate responsibility to face any challenge and serve the motherland with the utmost loyalty, dedication and self-sacrifice. One King Air 350 Beechcraft flew over the sky adding much glamour and wishing the young men and women who stepped out from SLAF Academy China Bay a great success and a bright future.
The Commissioning Parade was followed by a thrilling night-time parachute display led by Air Commodore Jagath Godakanda and his team, the No. 43 Colour Wing Drill Display, the Air Force Ceremonial Band performance along with a cultural display by the members of the Performing Division, all adding glamour to the proceedings.
This prestigious ceremony was also attended by former Commanders of the Air Force, Chief of Staff and Members of the Air Force Board of Management together with their spouses, a limited number of Senior Military Officers, other rankers and the parents of the newly Commissioned Officers.
Special Award Winners
Pilot Officer JMS Savindi – Flight Lieutenant SVS Fernando Trophy for the best officer cadet in Administrative Branch
Pilot Officer HMKB Wijerathne – Group Captain DS Wickremasinghe Memorial Trophy for best officer cadet in Aeronautical & General Engineering Branch
Pilot Officer GPS Alwis – Group Captain SNH Gunathilake Memorial Trophy for the best officer cadet in Operations Air Branch
Pilot Officer MDT Maduwanthi - Wing Commander JE Peiris Memorial Trophy for the best officer cadet in Regiment Branch
Pilot Officer DWMDT Muthuthanthri – Wing Commander HP Karunarathne Memorial Trophy for the best officer cadet in Logistics Branch
On the invitation of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) took the salute as the Chief Guest at this historical occasion, which was held at the SLAF Academy in China Bay. As the gesture of the commencement of the proceedings, an aerial salute was honoured by one K-8 aircraft to the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, after the arrival to the Saluting Dais.
The day’s proceedings began on a grand note with the Commissioning Parade led by the Commanding Officer of Ground Training Wing, Sri Lanka Air Force Academy China Bay, Group Captain Nirosha Senadeera marching on to the Parade Ground. The parade, which consisted of three Squadrons, nine Flights and the Formation Standards which is awarded to the SLAF Academy China Bay, conferred a Ceremonial General Salute to the Chief Guest. Following the salute was the highlight of the day’s agenda, the commissioning of the 84 Officer Cadets and Lady Officer Cadets as Pilot Officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
This was the culmination of nearly three years of intensive training and dedications by the Officers who were from different branches, namely General Duties Pilot, Aeronautical and General Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Operations Air, Administrative, Regiment, Logistics and Provost. Having begun initial training at the Combat Training School in Diyatalawa and at the Kotelawala Defence University, these Officers subsequently completed their Service Administration, Academic Studies Module and Specialized Branch modules at the Flying and Ground Training Wings in China Bay and the Combat Training School in Diyatalawa.
At the momentous occasion of the Commissioning of young officers, a flypast containing two Cessna – 150 aircraft, two Y-12 aircraft and one K-8 aircraft flew above in the sky adding more brilliance to the sunset and congratulating the new beginning of the young men and women in the Sri Lanka Air Force.
During the awarding ceremony, prior to the presentation of trophies for special achievements, ten Officer Cadets who had successfully completed their flying training received their Flying Brevets from the Chief Guest. This significant milestone was marked by a concurrent flypast, featuring one Bell 212 and two Bell 412 helicopters soaring through the skies, symbolizing the accomplishment of these aspiring aviators.
Following the pinning of Flying Brevets, the Chief Guest awarded trophies to officers and lady officers in recognition of their outstanding achievements in their respective training modules. Among these prestigious accolades, the "Sword of Honour" was presented to Pilot Officer JMS Savindi from the No. 67 Officer Cadet Intake and the No. 19 Lady Officer Cadets Intake. This award, presented by Group Captain NR Raheem, is conferred upon the Officer Cadet who has attained the highest results in both academic and professional studies while demonstrating exemplary all-round performance throughout the course across all branches.
Moreover, the "Sword of Eagle," a distinguished honour presented by Air Chief Marshal SK Pathirana, was awarded to Pilot Officer RN Jayalath for being the Best Student Officer in the General Duties Pilot Branch.
During the address made by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, reminded the newly commissioned officers that “you solemnly swear an oath to be responsible and accountable for the human resources, aircraft and various equipment that will be made available under your command. Remember, these resources given to you are sustained by the general public of this country with utmost difficulties. Thus, you all have to bear in mind that one simple mistake could result with catastrophic failures which undermine the credibility and confidence that you have been bestowed upon by the citizens of this country”. Eventually, newly Commissioned young Officers marched out from the parade square in upholding the ultimate responsibility to face any challenge and serve the motherland with the utmost loyalty, dedication and self-sacrifice. One King Air 350 Beechcraft flew over the sky adding much glamour and wishing the young men and women who stepped out from SLAF Academy China Bay a great success and a bright future.
The Commissioning Parade was followed by a thrilling night-time parachute display led by Air Commodore Jagath Godakanda and his team, the No. 43 Colour Wing Drill Display, the Air Force Ceremonial Band performance along with a cultural display by the members of the Performing Division, all adding glamour to the proceedings.
This prestigious ceremony was also attended by former Commanders of the Air Force, Chief of Staff and Members of the Air Force Board of Management together with their spouses, a limited number of Senior Military Officers, other rankers and the parents of the newly Commissioned Officers.
Special Award Winners
Pilot Officer JMS Savindi – Flight Lieutenant SVS Fernando Trophy for the best officer cadet in Administrative Branch
Pilot Officer HMKB Wijerathne – Group Captain DS Wickremasinghe Memorial Trophy for best officer cadet in Aeronautical & General Engineering Branch
Pilot Officer GPS Alwis – Group Captain SNH Gunathilake Memorial Trophy for the best officer cadet in Operations Air Branch
Pilot Officer MDT Maduwanthi - Wing Commander JE Peiris Memorial Trophy for the best officer cadet in Regiment Branch
Pilot Officer DWMDT Muthuthanthri – Wing Commander HP Karunarathne Memorial Trophy for the best officer cadet in Logistics Branch
