The Headquarters Officers’ Sports Fiesta 2026 was successfully conducted with the participation of a large gathering of Officers, culminating yesterday (25 August 2026) at Rifle Green Grounds, Colombo. The event was graced by the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, as the Chief Guest. The Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, and the Deputy Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Padman De Costa attended as Guests of Honour. The Sports Fiesta hosted by the President Mess Committee of the Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters Officers’ Mess Air Vice Marshal Laith Jayaweera, brought together members of the Air Force Board of Management, Officers serving at Air Force Headquarters and SLAF Station Sri Jayewardenepura. The sporting events were conducted over several days, commencing with the Basketball matches and Netball preliminary matches held on 4 August 2026. The Badminton matches were subsequently conducted on 11 August 2026, while the Cricket Finals and Netball Finals were held on 25 August 2026 at Rifle Green Grounds, marking the culmination of the Sports Fiesta.

The participating Officers were divided into four houses, namely Falcon Guardians, led by the Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, Aerial Strikers led by the Deputy Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Padman De Costa, Wing Warriors led by the Director General Planning Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva, and Sky Hawks led by the Director General Aeronautical Engineering Air Vice Marshal Indika Wickramasinghe. The Sports Fiesta featured competitions in Cricket, Badminton, Netball and Basketball, providing Officers with an opportunity to demonstrate their sporting skills while fostering teamwork, camaraderie and esprit de corps. Aerial Strikers and Wing Warriors emerged as Joint Overall Champions. Falcon Guardians secured the Cricket Championship with Aerial Strikers being the Runners-up. Wing Warriors emerged Champions in Badminton while Aerial Strikers secured the Runners-up position. Aerial Strikers won the Netball Championship with Wing Warriors as Runners-up. Falcon Guardians clinched the Basketball Championship while Wing Warriors finished as Runners-up. Further the Sky Hawks also delivered notable performances during all sport events throughout the sports fiesta.

Individual awards were also presented to outstanding performers. Flight Lieutenant Savindya Kuruppu was awarded the Best Player trophy in Badminton in recognition of her outstanding performance and commitment throughout the competition, while Flight Lieutenant Sandali Malsha was named as the Netball Queen for her valuable contribution to the success of her team. Squadron Leader Ishara Sumanathilake was awarded the Best Player trophy in Basketball for his outstanding display of skill, while Squadron Leader Iresh Welivitigoda was named as the Man of the Match in Cricket in recognition of his commendable contribution to his team’s success.