Sri Lanka Air Force turns 71
March 02, 2022The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is celebrating its 71st Anniversary today (Mar 02). The SLAF is having its anniversary celebrations at the Katunayake Air Force Base under the patronage of Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana.
The Royal Ceylon Air Force was born on 2nd March 1951. The founding of the Royal Ceylon Air Force began with the presentation of 41 of 49; Bill No. 41 of 1949.
The Bill provided for a Regular Air Force, a Regular Air Force Reserve, a Volunteer Air Force and a Volunteer Air Force Reserve. The RCyAF thus became the youngest of the Defence Services of Ceylon.
When the country became a republic in 1972 the Royal Ceylon Air Force was designated as the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).
The Sri Lanka Air Force has come under the leadership of 18 Commanders to date and is geared to face all challenges of the future in order to serve and protect the skies of Sri Lanka as the Guardians of the Skies.