
The SLAF Academy was established by the British in the early 20th century to house a permanent Air Base, as Royal Air Force China Bay and a fuel storage facility, including support facilities for the Royal Navy at HMS Highflyer Naval Base, which was also based there. In 1987, the Academy was renamed Sri Lanka Air Force Base, China Bay and it became a key forward Base for all operations conducted in the northern and eastern theatres until 2009.

Consequent to the end of humanitarian operations in 2009, No. 1 Flying Training Wing was re-established at China Bay. Sri Lanka Air Force Base China Bay was renamed as the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy China Bay on 01 January 2010. Currently, the Academy functions as the premier training establishment of the Sri Lanka Air Force and is home to nine (09) lodger formations while conducting training in multiple disciplines. The following training institutions are located in the Academy.
Presently the Academy is
commanded by Commandant, Air Commodore WPAH Perera.
In addition
- No 06 Air Defence Radar Squadron are also based here.

ContactAir Commodore WPAH Perera RSP and Bar, M Phil, MSc (Def & Strat Stu), MA (SSS - USA), BSc (Def Stu), ndc (Ind), ctf - ndu, psc
Commandant,
Sri Lanka Air Force Academy,
China Bay,
Sri Lanka.
Telephone:
+94 26 2233272, +94 26 2233273