The biggest challenge confronting anyone posted to SLAF Base Katunayake, the largest air base in the SLAF, is how to get about within the large expanse of the former coconut plantation turned Air Base.  Considering the percentage of the Air Force employed and living there, a viable solution to this problem is indeed a matter worthy of note and interest.It was with this in mind that ...

Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke called on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Jagath Jayasuriya and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Daya Rathnayaka at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff and SL Army  headquarters respectively today, 3rd March 2014.The Commander was received with a parade at the Army Headquarters.Mementos were exch...

The 63rd Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force was celebrated on 2nd March 2014 by all SLAF establishments.Shramadhana campaigns, social service programmes and welfare projects were conducted in view of the anniversary celebrations which marks over six decades of excellence in the service of the motherland by the Sri Lanka Air Force.The Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal ...

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke, paid homage to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, Kandy and the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura  on 1st March 2014 seeking blessings on his new appointment. Prior to his visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, he called on the Chief Incumbent of the Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Udugama Sri Buddha Rakkhitha Thero and t...

HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the SLAF site at the Deyata Kirula 2014 exhibition on the evening of 28th February 2014. The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke received the President who was conducted around the exhibition site by the Director Aeronautical Engineering, Air Vice Marshal PDJ Kumarasiri. The Minister of Telecommunication and In...

Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke made a courtesy call on the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa last evening (28th February, 2014) at Temple Trees. The visit was the Air Force Commander’s first meeting with the President after he assumed duties as the 14th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force....

Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke  paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa this afternoon (28th February 2014) at the Ministry of Defence. The visit is the first since the Commander assumed duties as the 14th Commander of  the Sri Lanka Air Force. Mementos were exchang...

Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke assumed the office of the Commander of the Air Force this morning(28 Feb 2014).As his first official duty, Air Marshal Gunatilleke signed the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force....

The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development (MoD&UD) Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa visited the SLAF site at the Deyata Kirula 2014 exhibition on evening 27 February 2014. The Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Kolitha Gunatilake received the Secretary. Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army and Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Jayanath Colambage also part...

Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama, the 13th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, relinquished command this morning and will retire from the Sri Lanka Air Force with effect from the 28th of February 2014.  On his retirement, he will be promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal.The change of command formalities will be concluded with the formal guest night where the outgoing commander ...

The outgoing commander of the SLAF, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama, paid a farewell call on the Secretary of Defence and Urban Development, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the Ministry of Defence this morning. (26 February 2014).After a discussion on matters of mutual interest, mementos were exchanged between the Secretary of Defence and Urban Development, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the out...

The outgoing commander of the SLAF, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama, completed formal farewell visits to the bases and units of the SLAF this week.  Having started his tour from the South, with SLAF Katukurunda, the Commander visited SLAF Weerawila and SLAF Diyatalawa on the 17th of February.  He visited SLAF Ampara, SLAF Batticaloa, SLAF Base Minneria and SLAF Sigiriya on the ...

The Sri Lanka Air Force won the 16th Annual Charles Robinson Memorial all Island 7-a-side Hockey Tournament for the 8th consecutive year defeating Sri Lanka Army by 1-0 with a Penalty Stroke. The tournament was held on 23rd February 2014 at the Police Park Bambalapitiya. Cpl Nalinda DW was adjudged the most outstanding Player during the tournament.  ...

The deyata Kirula 2014 exhibition was declared opened to the public by H.E the president Mahinda Rajapaksha on 21 February 2014 at 1700 hrs at Kuliyapitiya. This annual exhibition is being held for 8th successive year. This year, the exhibition site is spread across the premises of Wayamba Sri Lanka University, Government Technical College, Kuliyapitiya and Central School of Kuliyapitiya...

The “Deyata Kirula “Cycle Race 2014 was held during 17th, 18th, 19th & 20th February in 4 stages.  The first stage, covering 120km between Tangalle and Ratnapura was completed on 17 February.  The Second Stage, 144.6km between Karanawella and Dambulla was completed on the 18th while the third, the longest stretch covering 145 km to Puttalam was on the 19th.  The fo...

A Dharma Deshana programme presided over by Venerable Kumbalgama Gnanarama thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Bhodiwardanaramaya in Anuradhapura ,was held at SLAF Headquarters on 20th February 2014. The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshl Harsha Abeywickrama, members of the Air Force Board of Management, Senior Officers, Other Ranks and Civilians participated the in the programme. ...

The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama declared open the newly constructed fourth 8-Storey married quarters building at Guwanpura on 20th February 2014 at the auspicious time of 0930 Hrs.The opening ceremony commenced with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and the unveiling of the commemorative plaque by the Commander. The symbolic handing over of the keys ...

A one-week training camp for aspiring golfers commenced on 17 February 2014 at the Mini Golf Couse at SLAF Katunayake.  Forty five highly enthusiastic officers have enrolled in the training camp which is part of the drive to improve the game of golf in the SLAF.SLAF Katunayake, formerly RAF Negombo and then RAF Katunayake, has a history of Golf that dates back to the 1940s, when the...

The GOC-In-C , Southern Army Command, Indian Army Lieutenant General Ashok SinghPVSM,SM,VSM, made a courtesy call on the Commander of the Air Force on 19 Feb 14 at AirForce Headquarters. The Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal KA Gunatilleke welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Commander who was away from Office. The visiting General and the Chief Of Staff discussed matters of mutual in...

The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama who pioneered the introduction of the indigenous martial art of “Angampora” to the Sri Lanka Air Force was felicitated with the presentation of a plaque and the book “Helaye Satan Rahasa Angampora” authored by Dr. Ajantha Mahantharachchi the Angam Muhandiram of the Korathota ‘Ange Medilla Ranapila’ and the Chief I...

The Chairperson of the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Neelika Abeywickrama and the staff of the Seva Vanitha Unit visited Ward no. 3 of Mulleriyawa Hospital on 19th Feb 2014.  This female Ward has been maintained by the SLAF since 1985 with the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit complementing the maintenance effort by launching various donation and entertainment activities periodically for the wel...