“Guwan Prathiba Praba’ a novel event in search of true talent of the SLAF was staged at the Auditorium of Bishop’s College in Colombo this evening (27th August 2013) and concluded as a resounding success.

Guwan Prathiba Prabha was initiated in 2011, with the intention of highlighting the talents of service personnel and their family members in Singing, Dancing, Acting and Oratory, by the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Air Force Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Neelika Abeywickrema. This mega talent search, conducted over the past three months encompassed four stages during which initial selection was held at Station/Base level. The contestants graduated through quarter finals and semi finals which were held at the Air Force Base Katunayake and the finalist were given a chance to showcase their talents in the evenings the “Grand Finale” which was held at Bishop’s College auditorium in Colombo. This show was made a reality by the tireless efforts of the Seva Vanitha Unit and Officers and other ranks of all Basses/ Stations/ Units of the SLAF.

The contestants were judged by the prominent panel of judges which included some of the leading professionals in the respective fields namely Mr Dayan Vitharana, Mrs. Indika Upamali, and Mr. Lalith Ponnamperuma judging the vocal abilities; Mr. Kevin Nugara, Mr. Chandima Siriwardena and Miss Jade Jiggens judging the dancing category. The drama finalists were selected out of the seven dramas staged, by renowned actress Mrs. Manike Aththanayake, popular actors Mr Sanath Wimalasiri and Sahan Ranwala at the finals staged at the SLAF Base Katunayake on 25th July 2013.

The actors, singers and dancers all non professionals, were well appreciated by the supreme panel of judges for the talents they displayed on stage, despite their lack of experience in the artistic field. The judges made special mention of the fact that their talents were nothing less than those of professional artists. It was also clear that the audience itself was amazed at the standard of the performances. The stage was always filled with songs well sung, well choreographed individual and team dancing acts.  This display of individual and group talents was followed by another amazing dancing events performed by the Sri Lanka Air Force dancing troupe and the well known singing star of the SLAF, Sergeant Thushani Perera, the winner of the “Ranaviru Real Star” Mission III amidst the classical performance of the SLAF band.

The Chief Guest on the occasion was the Chief of Defence Staff General Jagath Jayasuriya who attended this glamorous event along with Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya. The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama, the Chairperson SLAF SVU Mrs. Neelika Abeywickrama, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal KA Gunatilleke, members of the Air Force Board of Management and their spouses were among the distinguished guests at the event. Furthermore a cross section of Officers, Airmen and their families also witnessed this extravagant event.