INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SAFETY EXPERTS CONVENE IN COLOMBO FOR ISAFE 2026
The Indo-Pacific Safety Air Forces Exchange (ISAFE) – Colombo 2026, co-hosted by the SLAF and the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), was successfully conducted from 11 to 14 May 2026 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Colombo in line with the SLAF 75th Anniversary celebrations. The event brought together Air Force personnel, flight safety specialists and subject matter experts from 14 Indo-Pacific partner nations, including Cambodia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United States of America and Sri Lanka. All SLAF Base Flight Safety Officers and Flight Safety Officers from all Flying Formation attended the event, recognising it as a rare opportunity to participate collectively in significant numbers.
The safety exchange commenced with opening remarks delivered by the Director Flight Safety of the SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Dinesh Jayaweera followed by Colonel (USAF) H. Warren Rohlf, the Director of Safety, Headquarters of Pacific Air Force, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Throughout the four-day programme, participants engaged in comprehensive discussions, professional exchanges and collaborative sessions focused on contemporary flight safety challenges and operational risk management practices.
The conduct of ISAFE Colombo 2026 also marked another significant international engagement organised in parallel with the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the SLAF. In line with the vision of commemorating this historic milestone through enhanced international collaboration and professional engagement, the SLAF has hosted subject matter exchanges (SMEE) during its anniversary year.
The exchange covered a broad spectrum of safety-related themes, including accident prevention strategies, human factors in aviation, operational risk management, safety investigation procedures and lessons learned from recent aviation incidents. Participants also shared country-specific safety practices, technological advancements and experiences related to flight operations in diverse operational environments.
The event concluded with a formal closing ceremony graced by the Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dhammika Dias, who delivered the closing address and participated in the presentation of certificates to the delegates and participants. Finally, Lieutenant Colonel (USAF) Joshua Ramirez, Deputy Chief, Aviation Safety (PACAF) has formally concluded the event.
Day 01
The safety exchange commenced with opening remarks delivered by the Director Flight Safety of the SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Dinesh Jayaweera followed by Colonel (USAF) H. Warren Rohlf, the Director of Safety, Headquarters of Pacific Air Force, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Throughout the four-day programme, participants engaged in comprehensive discussions, professional exchanges and collaborative sessions focused on contemporary flight safety challenges and operational risk management practices.
The conduct of ISAFE Colombo 2026 also marked another significant international engagement organised in parallel with the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the SLAF. In line with the vision of commemorating this historic milestone through enhanced international collaboration and professional engagement, the SLAF has hosted subject matter exchanges (SMEE) during its anniversary year.
The exchange covered a broad spectrum of safety-related themes, including accident prevention strategies, human factors in aviation, operational risk management, safety investigation procedures and lessons learned from recent aviation incidents. Participants also shared country-specific safety practices, technological advancements and experiences related to flight operations in diverse operational environments.
The event concluded with a formal closing ceremony graced by the Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dhammika Dias, who delivered the closing address and participated in the presentation of certificates to the delegates and participants. Finally, Lieutenant Colonel (USAF) Joshua Ramirez, Deputy Chief, Aviation Safety (PACAF) has formally concluded the event.
Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
