PASSING OUT PARADE OF PARATROOPERS AT SLAF REGIMENTAL TRAINING CENTRE AMPARA
3:58pm on Friday 27th June 2025
The Passing Out Parade (POP) of Paratroopers was held today (27 June 2025) at the SLAF Regimental Training Centre (RTC) in Ampara. The event was attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Damian Weerasinghe as the Chief Guest along with senior officers from the Tri-Services and the Special Task Force (STF).
The ceremony began with static line jumps performed by the trainees from an AN-32B aircraft at an altitude of 1,000 feet. This was followed by a skydiving display by the SLAF Sky Divers, who jumped from the same aircraft at 10,000 feet. The event also included demonstrations and a musical performance by the SLAF Ceremonial Band.
A total of 98 trainees from the Tri-Services and STF received their Paratrooper insignias, having completed the No. 56, 57 and 59 Basic Airborne Courses, No. 10 and 11 Military Rigger Courses, and No. 16 Military Free Fall Course. The group included 10 SLAF Officers and 44 Other Rankers, four SL Army Officers and 08 Other Rankers, one SL Navy Lady Officer and 21 Other Rankers and 10 STF Other Rankers.
The Commanding Officer of SLAF RTC Ampara, Group Captain Lalith Sugathadasa and the Commanding Officer of the Parachute Training School, Wing Commander Vijitha Gomis, were present at the event, along with the trainees’ parents.
The ceremony began with static line jumps performed by the trainees from an AN-32B aircraft at an altitude of 1,000 feet. This was followed by a skydiving display by the SLAF Sky Divers, who jumped from the same aircraft at 10,000 feet. The event also included demonstrations and a musical performance by the SLAF Ceremonial Band.
A total of 98 trainees from the Tri-Services and STF received their Paratrooper insignias, having completed the No. 56, 57 and 59 Basic Airborne Courses, No. 10 and 11 Military Rigger Courses, and No. 16 Military Free Fall Course. The group included 10 SLAF Officers and 44 Other Rankers, four SL Army Officers and 08 Other Rankers, one SL Navy Lady Officer and 21 Other Rankers and 10 STF Other Rankers.
The Commanding Officer of SLAF RTC Ampara, Group Captain Lalith Sugathadasa and the Commanding Officer of the Parachute Training School, Wing Commander Vijitha Gomis, were present at the event, along with the trainees’ parents.
Flight Lieutenant HMCV Madushanka, Able Seaman JMCL Jayasundara (SL Navy), COM WMPR Weerakoon (SL Navy) and Leading Seaman IDK Madushanka (SL Navy) were recognized as the Best Paratroopers of the No. 56, 57 and 59 Basic Airborne Courses and the No. 16 Military Free Fall Course.
