A total of 84 Officer Cadets and Lady Officer Cadets proudly commissioned as Pilot Officers at the Sunset Commissioning Parade at SLAF Academy China Bay.
Honoring excellence, leadership and dedication, this historic event marked the dawn of a new era in the SLAF.
SLAFOn the invitation of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) took the salute as the Chief Guest at this historical occasion, which was held at the SLAF Academy in China Bay.
SLAFAs the gesture of the commencement of the proceedings, an aerial salute was honoured by one K-8 aircraft to the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, after the arrival to the Saluting Dais.
At the momentous occasion of the Commissioning of young officers, a flypast containing two Cessna – 150 aircraft, two Y-12 aircraft and one K-8 aircraft flew above in the sky adding more brilliance to the sunset and congratulating the new beginning of the young men and women in the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Moreover, the "Sword of Eagle," a distinguished honour presented by Air Chief Marshal SK Pathirana, was awarded to Pilot Officer RN Jayalath for being the Best Student Officer in the General Duties Pilot Branch.
SLAFThis prestigious ceremony was also attended by former Commanders of the Air Force, Chief of Staff and Members of the Air Force Board of Management together with their spouses, a limited number of Senior Military Officers, other rankers and the parents of the newly Commissioned Officers.
