Outgoing Air Force Chief’s contribution to humanitarian operation was instrumental - Defence Secretary
November 02, 2020Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the contribution of Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias towards the humanitarian operation had been instrumental, as the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) made a promising effect towards the successful end state of the humanitarian operation that eradicated the three decade long terrorism in the country.
The services extended by Air Chief Marshal Dias in the national campaign to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country had been truly admirable, Defence Secretary stated.
Delivering the farewell speech at the felicitation ceremony organized for the outgoing Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias at the Defence Ministry today (Nov 02), the Defence Secretary said “his continuous involvement in coordinating the air support which was pivotal for the successful conduct of land operations as the Senior Air Coordinator during the humanitarian operation, was highly praised and respected by all ranks and files in the field”.
Maj. Gen. Gunaratne elaborating the traits of a ‘Commander’ said “Air Chief Marshal Dias is one such role model as the Air Force Commander who had been able to steer the Air Force towards the right direction during his tenure including the efforts to contain the pandemic status-quo”.
Mentioning about all the assignments progressing successfully such as the fight against coronavirus outbreak, the efforts to build a secure country, disciplined, virtuous and lawful society through a Presidential Task Force (PTF) and the PTF for Archaeological Heritage Management in the Eastern Province he said “we all should be happy about our achievements up to now and shall endeavour to offer our best to the nation in future as well”.
“Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias, the outgoing Commander, had also been instrumental behind the success that we have achieved as a team”, he praised.
Making special emphasis to the construction and medical assistance rendered to the IDH Hospital by the SLAF, development and expansion of indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles fleet with four aircraft, construction of hospital ward for Ex-servicemen and strengthening and replenishing of SLAF fleet, he said “those achievements are highly commendable during his tenure”.
Defence Secretary also highlighted the services rendered by the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit (SVU) Chairperson Prabhavi Dias to the Defence Ministry’s SVU during the session.
Air Chief Marshal Dias while conveying his gratitude to the Defence Secretary, senior military officials and all distinguished invitees gathered at the event said “the assistance rendered to my staff and me by the Defence Ministry was undoubtedly cordial, consultative and mutually respectful, which made all association between the Defence Ministry and the SLAF Headquarters, was extremely cooperative”.
Citing the support of both the Army and the Navy Chiefs over the years and strong bond between the forces he said “it is my belief that the recent improvements in joint operability capabilities in our armed forces was a great advantage in combating national and transnational threat phenomenon as well as the on-going mission against the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Symbolizing the event, a memento was presented to the outgoing Air Force Chief by the Defence Secretary while a special memento was also presented to the Chairperson of the Air Force SVU Prabavi Dias by the MOD SVU Chairperson Chitrani Gunaratne.
Additional Secretary (Defence) P.B.S.C Nonis delivered the welcome speech at the outset.
Foreign Ministry Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva and Army SVU Chairperson Sujeewa Nelson, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne and Navy SVU Chairperson Chandima Ulugetenne, Newly appointed Air Force Commander Air Martial Sudarshana Pathirana and New Air Force SVU Chairperson Charmini Pathirana, Acting Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramarathne and Police SVU Chairperson Priyangi Wickramarathne, Director General Civil Security Department (CSD) Rear Admiral (Retd) Ananda Peiris and CSD SVU Chairperson Kumudini Peiris, Director General Coast Guard Rear Admiral Anura Ekanayake, Vice Chancellor General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Chief of National Intelligence, Additional Secretaries of the Ministry and senior military officials were also present at the occasion.
