COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF GRACES INAUGURATION OF SLAF 75TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION AND AIR SHOW AT SLAF BASE RATMALANA
His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, graced the inauguration ceremony of the Sri Lanka Air Force 75th Anniversary Exhibition and Air Show held this afternoon (06 March 2026) at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base Ratmalana.
Upon arrival at SLAF Base Ratmalana, the Commander-in-Chief was received by the Commander of the Air Force, Bandu Edirisinghe and accorded Air Force honours.
Following the formal reception, the President witnessed the special aerial display conducted by Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft and subsequently toured the exhibition area, where a series of educational and technological display booths highlighting aeronautical engineering, aviation technology and the operational capabilities of the Sri Lanka Air Force had been established.
During his visit, the Commander-in-Chief also toured the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum and placed a special commemorative note to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force. To commemorate the occasion, the Commander of the Air Force presented a special memento to His Excellency the President.
The exhibition and air show have been organized with the objective of sharing the proud legacy and distinguished service of the Sri Lanka Air Force over the past 75 years with the general public. The event provides visitors with a rare opportunity to view a range of operational Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft and selected civilian aircraft at close quarters while learning about their technical specifications and operational roles.
In addition, dedicated trade booths representing various Air Force branches and professions have been established, offering insight into the diverse career opportunities and specialized fields within the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The programme also features a variety of operational and ceremonial demonstrations, including aerial displays by SLAF helicopters, transport aircraft and jet aircraft, night drone light displays, demonstrations by the SLAF No. 48 K-9 Wing, Special Forces combat and rescue operation simulations, aircraft firefighting demonstrations, parachute displays, precision drill displays, traditional Angampora martial arts demonstrations and a range of cultural performances.
During the aerial displays conducted by the SLAF's operational flying squadrons, the air show was further enhanced by the participation of several local flight training academies and commercial aviation operators. Aircraft representing Rathna Aviation, Senok Aviation, Lakwin Aviation, Red Bird Aviation, Asian Aviation, Sakurai Aviation and DP Aviation, which function as flight training academies, were featured in the flying display segment of the event. Further enriching the aviation showcase, Cinnamon Air, Sri Lanka’s domestic airline and SriLankan Airlines, the National Carrier, also participated in the air show, highlighting the broader spectrum of the country’s aviation sector alongside the operational capabilities of the SLAF.
The overall coordination and planning of the SLAF 75th Anniversary Exhibition and Air Show is being steered by the Director General Planning, Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva, while the event is being conducted under the supervision of the Base Commander SLAF Base Ratmalana, Air Commodore Dinesh Jayaweera, until the conclusion of the event.
The 75th Anniversary Exhibition and Air Show will be open to the public from 06 to 08 March 2026, daily from 1400 hrs to 2200 hrs at SLAF Base Ratmalana.
Among the distinguished guests present at the inauguration were the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilake, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyakontha (Retd), Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Gunathilaka, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya.
Former Commanders of the Sri Lanka Air Force, members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior military officers, government officials and a large gathering of distinguished invitees were also present at the event.
Upon arrival at SLAF Base Ratmalana, the Commander-in-Chief was received by the Commander of the Air Force, Bandu Edirisinghe and accorded Air Force honours.
Following the formal reception, the President witnessed the special aerial display conducted by Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft and subsequently toured the exhibition area, where a series of educational and technological display booths highlighting aeronautical engineering, aviation technology and the operational capabilities of the Sri Lanka Air Force had been established.
During his visit, the Commander-in-Chief also toured the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum and placed a special commemorative note to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force. To commemorate the occasion, the Commander of the Air Force presented a special memento to His Excellency the President.
The exhibition and air show have been organized with the objective of sharing the proud legacy and distinguished service of the Sri Lanka Air Force over the past 75 years with the general public. The event provides visitors with a rare opportunity to view a range of operational Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft and selected civilian aircraft at close quarters while learning about their technical specifications and operational roles.
In addition, dedicated trade booths representing various Air Force branches and professions have been established, offering insight into the diverse career opportunities and specialized fields within the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The programme also features a variety of operational and ceremonial demonstrations, including aerial displays by SLAF helicopters, transport aircraft and jet aircraft, night drone light displays, demonstrations by the SLAF No. 48 K-9 Wing, Special Forces combat and rescue operation simulations, aircraft firefighting demonstrations, parachute displays, precision drill displays, traditional Angampora martial arts demonstrations and a range of cultural performances.
During the aerial displays conducted by the SLAF's operational flying squadrons, the air show was further enhanced by the participation of several local flight training academies and commercial aviation operators. Aircraft representing Rathna Aviation, Senok Aviation, Lakwin Aviation, Red Bird Aviation, Asian Aviation, Sakurai Aviation and DP Aviation, which function as flight training academies, were featured in the flying display segment of the event. Further enriching the aviation showcase, Cinnamon Air, Sri Lanka’s domestic airline and SriLankan Airlines, the National Carrier, also participated in the air show, highlighting the broader spectrum of the country’s aviation sector alongside the operational capabilities of the SLAF.
The overall coordination and planning of the SLAF 75th Anniversary Exhibition and Air Show is being steered by the Director General Planning, Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva, while the event is being conducted under the supervision of the Base Commander SLAF Base Ratmalana, Air Commodore Dinesh Jayaweera, until the conclusion of the event.
The 75th Anniversary Exhibition and Air Show will be open to the public from 06 to 08 March 2026, daily from 1400 hrs to 2200 hrs at SLAF Base Ratmalana.
Among the distinguished guests present at the inauguration were the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilake, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyakontha (Retd), Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Gunathilaka, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya.
Former Commanders of the Sri Lanka Air Force, members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior military officers, government officials and a large gathering of distinguished invitees were also present at the event.