SRI LANKA AIR FORCE PROUDLY JOINS 74TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
10:13pm on Friday 4th February 2022
Today (04th February 2022), marks the 74th anniversary of our nation gaining independence from colonial rule. This year’s National Independence Day celebrations were held at the iconic Independence Square under the patronage of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
This year, the Guardians of the Skies under the able leadership of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana proudly participated with the independence fly past and ceremonial march past. A total of 22 Aircraft with 45 pilots and 59 officers along with 761 parade troops on ground participated for the fly past and ceremonial march past including mechanical column.
The arrival of the President, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the First Lady Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa marked the commencement of the celebrations. The Speaker of Parliament, Ministers, Chief Justice, the Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, the Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, State Ministry of National Security and Disaster Management, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, the Inspector General of the Police, Mr. C.D. Wickramaratne, State Officials, Diplomats and other distinguished dignitaries also graced the occasion.
The National Flag was hoisted by the President amidst the beating of “Magul Bera” and blowing of conch shells followed by the singing of the National Anthem by school children. Later, the Tri Service Commanders and the Inspector General of the Police conducted the President to a special dais, opposite which school girls recited Jayamangala Gatha to invoke blessings of the noble Triple Gems on the Nation and also the “Devo Vassatu Kalena” to bless the Nation.
Subsequently, a Tri Services Guard of Honour followed by a twenty-one Gun Salute was accorded to the President, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the Armed Forces after which the President’s Independence Day address to the nation was delivered.
Director Air Operations of SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Kapila Wanigasooriya was the overall coordinator of the Independence Day Fly Past which included a Bell 212 Helicopter, Four (4) Bell 412 Helicopters, four (4) MI-17 Helicopters, three (3) Y-12 Light Transport Aircraft, two (2) B200 Surveillance Aircraft, one (1) MA-60 Passenger Transport Aircraft, two (2) AN-32 Heavy Transport Aircraft , three (3) K-8 Advanced Trainer Aircraft and two (2) F-7 Fighter Jet Aircraft.
Group Captain Pradeep Piyarathne, Wing Commander Dihan Fernando, Flight Lieutenant Danuka Ahangama and Flight Lieutenant NS Ratwatte navigated the aircraft of the fly past while the Aerial Display was coordinated by Air Commodore Asela Jayasekara, Group Captain Senaka Kulathunga and Group Captain Sanath Fernando. The formation leaders were Group Captain Asela Kuruwita, Group Captain Poojana Gunathilake, Group Captain Madura Dias, Wing Commander Asanka Rathnayake, Wing Commander Chandana Ratnayake, Wing Commander Malinga Senanayake and Squadron Leader Sudarshana Bandara.
Air Commodore Amitha Jayamaha, the Northern Air Commander and Base Commander SLAF Base Anuradhapura represented the Sri Lanka Air Force contingent as Overall Parade Commander. The SLAF parade comprising of five Squadrons was commanded by Wing Commander Jayarathne Amarasinghe while Squadron Leader Gayan Joseph commanded the Tri Services Mass Band.
This year, the Guardians of the Skies under the able leadership of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana proudly participated with the independence fly past and ceremonial march past. A total of 22 Aircraft with 45 pilots and 59 officers along with 761 parade troops on ground participated for the fly past and ceremonial march past including mechanical column.
The arrival of the President, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the First Lady Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa marked the commencement of the celebrations. The Speaker of Parliament, Ministers, Chief Justice, the Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, the Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, State Ministry of National Security and Disaster Management, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, the Inspector General of the Police, Mr. C.D. Wickramaratne, State Officials, Diplomats and other distinguished dignitaries also graced the occasion.
The National Flag was hoisted by the President amidst the beating of “Magul Bera” and blowing of conch shells followed by the singing of the National Anthem by school children. Later, the Tri Service Commanders and the Inspector General of the Police conducted the President to a special dais, opposite which school girls recited Jayamangala Gatha to invoke blessings of the noble Triple Gems on the Nation and also the “Devo Vassatu Kalena” to bless the Nation.
Subsequently, a Tri Services Guard of Honour followed by a twenty-one Gun Salute was accorded to the President, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the Armed Forces after which the President’s Independence Day address to the nation was delivered.
Director Air Operations of SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Kapila Wanigasooriya was the overall coordinator of the Independence Day Fly Past which included a Bell 212 Helicopter, Four (4) Bell 412 Helicopters, four (4) MI-17 Helicopters, three (3) Y-12 Light Transport Aircraft, two (2) B200 Surveillance Aircraft, one (1) MA-60 Passenger Transport Aircraft, two (2) AN-32 Heavy Transport Aircraft , three (3) K-8 Advanced Trainer Aircraft and two (2) F-7 Fighter Jet Aircraft.
Group Captain Pradeep Piyarathne, Wing Commander Dihan Fernando, Flight Lieutenant Danuka Ahangama and Flight Lieutenant NS Ratwatte navigated the aircraft of the fly past while the Aerial Display was coordinated by Air Commodore Asela Jayasekara, Group Captain Senaka Kulathunga and Group Captain Sanath Fernando. The formation leaders were Group Captain Asela Kuruwita, Group Captain Poojana Gunathilake, Group Captain Madura Dias, Wing Commander Asanka Rathnayake, Wing Commander Chandana Ratnayake, Wing Commander Malinga Senanayake and Squadron Leader Sudarshana Bandara.
Air Commodore Amitha Jayamaha, the Northern Air Commander and Base Commander SLAF Base Anuradhapura represented the Sri Lanka Air Force contingent as Overall Parade Commander. The SLAF parade comprising of five Squadrons was commanded by Wing Commander Jayarathne Amarasinghe while Squadron Leader Gayan Joseph commanded the Tri Services Mass Band.
The first squadron was commanded by Squadron Leader Asela Withana, the second by Squadron Leader Prabath Senevirathna and the third squadron which was made up of airwomen was commanded by Squadron Leader Piumi Jayasundara. Next, the Special Air Borne Force Squadron commanded by Wing Commander Niroshan Ritigala and Regiment Special Force Squadron led by Wing Commander Priyadarshana Hettiarachchi presented their salute to the President.
This year’s mechanical column representing the support elements of the SLAF included an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle along with indigenous production of “Lihiniya Mark 2”, Air Defence System, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive Squadron, Armament and Special Airborne Force Rider Squad.
The mechanical column was led by Group Captain Sumeda Halahakoon. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle element which displayed a Searcher MK-2 System was led by Squadron Leader Dammika Rathnayake and Lihiniya MK-2 System led by Squadron Leader Ravi Thenuwara .
This year’s mechanical column representing the support elements of the SLAF included an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle along with indigenous production of “Lihiniya Mark 2”, Air Defence System, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive Squadron, Armament and Special Airborne Force Rider Squad.
The mechanical column was led by Group Captain Sumeda Halahakoon. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle element which displayed a Searcher MK-2 System was led by Squadron Leader Dammika Rathnayake and Lihiniya MK-2 System led by Squadron Leader Ravi Thenuwara .
The Air Defence element made up of an Indra MK-2 Radar System was led by Squadron Leader Iroshan Rodrigo followed the L-70 Air Defence Guns which were led by Squadron Leader Prasanna Balasooriya and Squadron Leader Chamika Ipalawattage . Two display vehicles displayed the surface to Air Missile capabilities of the SLAF and a series of ammunitions which are used by SLAF Fighter Aircraft.
The Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear Explosive (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive) Wing was led by Wing Commander Nilendra Perera, the Commanding Officer of the SLAF Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive Wing. The Sri Lanka Air Force Special Airborne Force Rider Squad led by Squadron Leader Nipuna Herath marked the end of the SLAF mechanical column of the 74th National Independence Day celebrations.
The Chief of Staff of the SLAF, members of the Air Force Board of Management and Air Rank Officers participated for the National Independence Day celebrations.
The Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear Explosive (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive) Wing was led by Wing Commander Nilendra Perera, the Commanding Officer of the SLAF Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive Wing. The Sri Lanka Air Force Special Airborne Force Rider Squad led by Squadron Leader Nipuna Herath marked the end of the SLAF mechanical column of the 74th National Independence Day celebrations.
The Chief of Staff of the SLAF, members of the Air Force Board of Management and Air Rank Officers participated for the National Independence Day celebrations.
