SLAF BASE RATMALANA CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY
6:39pm on Thursday 24th April 2025
SLAF Base Ratmalana celebrated 40 years of service to the nation yesterday (23 April 2025). The celebrations commenced with the customary working parade, which was commanded by Wing Commander Wikum Mapatuna and reviewed by the Base Commander, Air Commodore Amitha Jayamaha. The Base Commander addressed the parade, paying tribute to those who had commanded the Base before him and to those who had previously served at Ratmalana.
In line with the anniversary celebrations, multi-religious observances were held to invoke blessings on the Base and all service personnel. To mark the occasion, the Base distributed ration packs to patients at the Leprosy Hospital in Handala, and a visit was organized to tour the naval vessel SLNS Vijayabahu. The anniversary programme concluded with a Bodhi Pooja ceremony held at the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya.
On the 23rd of April in the year 1985, the then Minister of Defence (late) Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali declared open SLAF Base Ratmalana on the invitation of the then Commander of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal DC Perera. The Base was initially commanded by Wing Commander CN Thudugala and expanded in strength and capacity over time.
The Base is home to the No. 4 VVIP Helicopter Squadron, the No. 8 Light Transport Squadron and the 61 Helicopter Flight. In addition to the flying formations, it presently houses a number of support formations as well. Namely, the No. 27 Regiment Wing, the No. 2 Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Wing, the No 1 Wing Information Technology Wing, Aeronautical Engineering Support Wing, the Air Field Construction Wing and the Base Hospital along with a rugby ground of international standards, squash complex, swimming pool and a multi-functional reception hall. Apart from that, Ratmalana Air Base is famous for the Museum which depicts the military aviation history of the SLAF.
In line with the anniversary celebrations, multi-religious observances were held to invoke blessings on the Base and all service personnel. To mark the occasion, the Base distributed ration packs to patients at the Leprosy Hospital in Handala, and a visit was organized to tour the naval vessel SLNS Vijayabahu. The anniversary programme concluded with a Bodhi Pooja ceremony held at the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya.
On the 23rd of April in the year 1985, the then Minister of Defence (late) Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali declared open SLAF Base Ratmalana on the invitation of the then Commander of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal DC Perera. The Base was initially commanded by Wing Commander CN Thudugala and expanded in strength and capacity over time.
The Base is home to the No. 4 VVIP Helicopter Squadron, the No. 8 Light Transport Squadron and the 61 Helicopter Flight. In addition to the flying formations, it presently houses a number of support formations as well. Namely, the No. 27 Regiment Wing, the No. 2 Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Wing, the No 1 Wing Information Technology Wing, Aeronautical Engineering Support Wing, the Air Field Construction Wing and the Base Hospital along with a rugby ground of international standards, squash complex, swimming pool and a multi-functional reception hall. Apart from that, Ratmalana Air Base is famous for the Museum which depicts the military aviation history of the SLAF.
