Today  Information Technology is the fastest growing field in the world. This  technology has set in to all aspects of human lives and continues to dominate  the world.
        In comparison to other organizations in Sri    Lanka, the SLAF is in the forefront of IT. SLAF  is the only organization which develops software, maintains a country wide data  network, maintains hardware, handles multimedia designing, develop GIS applications,  conduct in-house IT training, web development and also cyber security.
        The SLAF was first in  this country to establish a Unified Communication System of such  comprehensive integration and first to develop and run its own payroll system.The  Air Force software developers have developed and implemented a series of computerized  systems such as the Equipment Provisioning and Accounting System (EPAS),  Aircraft Engineering Resource Management System (AERMS), Human Resource  Management System (HRMS), General Engineering Management System (GERMS), etc.

Such  operations were carried out mainly at the ITU AFHQ which has a limited space.  The strategy of the present leadership of the SLAF is to expand and develop the  IT establishment more in space and functionality. Thus the IT wing at Ratmalana came in to existence.

This wing consists  of, IT training, Software development, server operations and hardware maintenance.

This state of the art Formation will be the nerve centre of IT  maintenance where the SLAF will be mobilizing the best IT Technicians  specialized and thorough in CPU, Monitor, Printer and electronic, server and  network equipment repairs. Other Bases and Stations will be limited to general  maintenance where Technicians will handle multi skilled tasks at a line  maintenance level. This wing will also be  responsible for the expansion and the maintenance of the SLAF data network  throughout the Air Force.

However this Wing specifically  focuses on IT training.This is since training  is SLAF IT’s core function, and it is unique to the IT field. With training being a  core function of SLAF IT, the target is to make the entire SLAF work force  computer literate which will lay the foundation of implementing computerized  systems.

SLAF’s IT vision is to computerize all functions of the Air Force which is referred to as TOTAL  COMPUTERISATION and further consolidate the status of being the “Foremost  IT organization” in this country. Air Force is on the right path and  the establishment of the IT Wing is a major milestone of it.

The  IT Wing has dedicated 02 labs for Training one for Computer Technician  training and the other for automation systems training.

Construction of the  Wing began on 08 June 2012 and was completed by February 2013

Constructing this wing was a tedious task.  The low lying area was filled with more than 1000 cubes of sand and gravel to  bring up the ground level to a safe height ensuring the safety of the valuable  equipment in the event of heavy rain and flooding.

          Officers  and airmen from all IT sections and personnel of the  Directorate of Civil Engineering of the SLAF laboured day and night with  unbelievable enthusiasm, sacrificing their time and personal commitments to  bring the IT Wing to its present standard.    Given below is a brief  description of the sections within the IT Wing.

Training lab 1 & 2
    These labs will be utilized  throughout the year for automation (computerization) training and general IT  training. computerization is more effective and focused in an organization with  such training.

Hardware Workshop
    Ratmalana is the central and IT equipment such as computers, printers,  servers, Routers, switches, etc. will be brought in from other stations to  cater to maintenance requirements of these stations.

Electronic Workshop
    This workshop will repair monitors, UPS units and printers which consist of  different types of electronic circuits from many stations.

      Software Lab 1 & 2
    These labs are entrusted with  task of  developing and maintaining the Aircraft Engineering Resource Management System  (AERMS),  Document Management System,  Personal Data Mgt System, Air Movement  Administration system and 04 web sites(i.e. clippers, sky pet, AF Museum and  marble beach).

   

Network Workshop
This workshop will handle repairs of network equipment such as Routers,  switchers, data converters and media converters.

 Network Section
This section will monitor the entire SLAF data network on its performance.  This function is more of a research nature where SLAF Engineers and technicians  will analyze performance of different segments of the Air Force data network at  different times of a day and under varied circumstances. This involves a range  of quality of service (QOS) configurations.

With the establishment of this Wing, SLAF is capable  of providing IT services and solutions such as IT courses, S/W development, H/W  maintenance, N/W designing and implementation, MM designing and web designing  for outside organizations as well.
       
        The SLAF hopes to extend IT training services to the  general public specially in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka as  part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) drive in future.