Defence Secretary attends SLAF Colours Night
August 27, 2022Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne graced the Sri Lanka Air Force Colours Night as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at Eagle’s Lagoon Banquet Hall, Attidiya, Ratmalana yesterday evening (Aug 27).
The Colours Night was organized to appreciate the sports achievements, talents and skills of SLAF sportsmen and women during the period from 2018 to 2021.
A large number of Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) sportsmen and women were honoured during the colourful spectacle in the presence of Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit Chairperson Mrs Chithrani Gunaratne, Chairperson of SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Charmini Pathirana, Chief of Staff, Members of the Board of Management, colour recipients and their families and distinguished guests.
Addressing the gathering, the Defence Secretary stated that sports are also an integral part of military life, that teach us the importance of having many skills, how to work together as a team, to play by the rules, to build character and most importantly to accept triumph and defeat with persistence.
Moreover, sports foster camaraderie, the will to fight and the temperament to perceive through adversities, Gen. Gunaratne also said emphasizing that the aspirations of sportsmen and women to achieve excellence in their respective sport, cannot be achieved without sheer dedication, continuous training, team work, highest form of discipline and most predominantly, personal sacrifice.
“Above all, continuing to be excellent amidst various challenges including pandemic situation proves that the theme of ‘Success through Perseverance’ has been completely embodied by all of you”, Defence Secretary added while stating that ‘You have indeed, persevered through harsh times and have ultimately achieved success in your respective sport with flying colours.’
Gen. Gunaratne also commended the role of the management committees and trainers of each sport and adding that in the context of being victorious in the sports arena, the particular sportsman or sportswoman alone cannot achieve glory, there is a team behind. Therefore, the efforts and sacrifices of those individuals, the ‘silent force’ are also appreciated.
He also recollected the past Air Force sports personalities who have performed so well in the recent past.
While congratulating all colour recipients and special award winners for their exceptional performance, Gen. Gunaratne extended his gratitude to every one of the Sports Council for their dedication in uplifting the sports excellence.
The Defence Secretary also anticipated that the SLAF would continue the same gesture of producing the next generation of top-notch sports men and women to bring glory to the Air Force and our beloved motherland.
