The Colombo Air Symposium 2025 (CAS), the annual international academic forum organized by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), commenced today (10 February 2025), for the seventh consecutive year at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo. Under the guidance and supervision of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, this year’s symposium is themed “Transforming Air and Space Power for a Resilient Tomorrow: Prospects for Air Forces of the Indian Ocean Rim.” The forum brought together the intellectuals, diplomats, military leaders, policymakers and technological experts to deliberate on the evolving role of air and space power in the contemporary global security environment.

The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Brian W. Cole, Ph.D., from the Eisenhower School, National Defence University, Washington, DC.

The Colombo Air Symposium was attended by Ambassadors, High Commissioners and delegates from the Air Forces of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) member countries and dialogue partners, along with foreign research authors and high-ranking officers from all three armed forces.

Also in attendance were the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, past Commanders of the SLAF, senior officers of the Tri-Services, state officials, members of the diplomatic corps and distinguished scholars.

The Colombo Air Symposium 2025 will continue tomorrow, featuring the second and final two sessions.