Air Force assures help in development drive

Sandasen MARASINGHE in Tricomalee

Chief of Defence Staff and Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke yesterday said that the SLAF will contribute its maximum to fulfil the country’s development wish preserving the SLAF’s prestige of 60 years service. He also said that Air Force help was needed for the mega development drive that has commenced in the country. The Air Force Commander made this observation as Chief Guest at the commissioning and wings parade of the 52nd intake of the Officer Cadets and the commissioning of the fifth intake of the Lady Officer Cadets at the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy, China Bay.

The Air Force Commander said that the Air Force has a great responsibility to join in the country’s development drive in the light of the peaceful environment in the country after the elimination of terrorism.

Air Chief Marshal Goonetileke said that officers and the airmen are provided with proper training to play a leadership role to guide the civil society under various situations.

They should work accordingly to preserve the dignity of the Air Force which has served the country for 60 years, he said. He added that the Air Force has rendered it services in the development drive.

Forty Officer Cadets including four Lady Officer Cadets and six flyers were commissioned yesterday. In addition, 241 Regular Airmen of the 147-B intake also passed out.

After the parade an aerobatic display was performed.

The academy is headed by Commander AVM KVB Jayampathy. The parade events were commanded by Acting Commanding Officer of the Combat Training School China Bay Squadron Leader M Seneviratne.