SRI LANKA AIR FORCE HOSTS A RECEPTION TO CELEBRATE 73RD ANNIVERSARY

The Sri Lanka Air Force, originally established as the Royal Ceylon Air Force on 2nd March 1951, commemorated its 73rd Anniversary with grandeur and pride yesterday (02 March). The official Anniversary parade took place along with a series of ceremonial events in the morning hours at the Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters, Sri Jayawardanepura presided over by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

The festivities also included a charming official anniversary reception hosted in the evening by the Sri Lanka Air Force that was graced by the presence of the State Minister of Defence, Hon Premitha Bandara Tennakoon as the Chief Guest. The event took place last evening at the Eagles’ Lakeside Banquet and Convention Hall at Rathmalana with the participation of a number of distinguished invitees.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil along with his spouse Mrs Sujeewa Nelson graced the evening at the invitation extended by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa RSP and two Bars, VSV, USP, MSc (MOA) USA, MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, MA in IS&S (UK), BSc (Def Stu), MIM (SL), AMIE (SL), rcds, psc where they were warmly welcomed to the reception. General Silva conveyed warm felicitations to the Commander and members of the Sri Lanka Air Force whilst acknowledging the dedication and commitment of the Air Force in safeguarding the nation as the ‘Guardians of the Skies’.

The event was also attended by esteemed dignitaries including the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. Additionally, former Commanders of the Air Force, senior officers from Army and Navy and a number of retired and serving officers of the Air Force, lent their presence, making it a truly memorable and prestigious gathering.