The visiting Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa was the Chief Guest on invitation of Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy when 40 Officers from the No 57th Intake of Officer Cadets and No 30th Kothalawala Defence University  Cadets Intake along with 765 Airmen and Airwomen of the 165th Regular Airmen Recruit Course , 35th Regular Airwomen Recruit Course, 128th Volunteer Airmen Recruit Course, 10th Volunteer Airwomen Recruit Course, 33rd Direct Entry Airmen and Airwomen Recruit Course passed out from the SLAF Academy China Bay during the morning hours of 14 December 2017.

Also on this occasion 06 Pilot Officers of No 57th Intake of Officer Cadets and No 30th Kothalawala Defence University Officer Cadets Intake received their Flying Brevets from Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa. Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy, the Board of Management of the SLAF, Commandant of the SLAF Academy China Bay Air Commodore HSS Thuyacontha and senior officers of the SL Army, SL Navy, and SL Police of Trincomalee District also attended the event. The Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy received the Chief Guest on arrival.

The Officer Cadets/Lady Officer Cadets have successfully completed 3 years of rigorous training while the Airmen/Airwomen followed a 20 week Basic Combat Training programme. The Parade, which was commanded by the Group Captain HTH Dharmadasa, was followed by an Aerobatic Display of PT6 Aircraft, flown by Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) of the No.1 Flying Training Wing. This was followed by a Band Display, Drill Display by SLAF Colour Wing, Unarmed Combat Display, Parachute Display, and a Camp Attack Display.

The award winners,

No. 57th Intake Officer Cadets’ course

Best Officer Cadet
Pilot Officer TMTR Rodrigo

Best Officeer Cadet of the General Duties of Pilot Branch
Pilot Officer WSWRNS Rathwatta

Best Officer Cadet of the Operations Air Branch   
Pilot Officer SN Jayasinghe

Best Officer Cadet of the Administrative Regiment branch
Pilot Officer ST Dhananjaya

165th   Regular Airmen Recruit Course , 35th Regular Airwomen Recruit Course, 128th Volunteer Airmen Recruit Course, 10th Volunteer Airwomen Recruit Course, 33rd Direct  Entry Airmen and Airwomen Recruit Course

Best All Round Recruit
Airmen Course - AC2UT  Nayanapriya RAD
Airwomen  Course - AC2UT Nelaka MDP

Best Student
Airmen Course - AC2UT  Bandara RMJD
Airwomen  Course - AC2UT Fonseka CM

Best in Drill
Airmen Course - AC2UT Rathnayake HMSK
Airwomen  Course - AC2UT Rajapaksha RIN

Best in Physical Efficiency
Airmen Course - AC2UT Shammika HMS
Airwomen  Course - AC2UT Dhilrukshi ASH

Best Shot
Airmen Course - AC2UT  Wijerathne JJSL
Airwomen  Course - AC2UT Wijethunge WMSR