Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition by SLAF

Connecting through air diplomacy between nations, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is set to carry out ‘Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition 2024’ (CADE 2024) from May 29 to June 2 under the theme “into the future” at Port City, Colombo.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 12 midnight. An entrance ticket for the event will be at 200 rupees per adult and 100 rupees per child as the event is funded by the SLAF and sponsors.

The agenda for the event consists of water sports, air shows by flying clubs and airlines locally and globally, demonstrations by the SLAF, paratrooper jumps, helicopter rides and entrepreneur stalls.

“We invite the defence industry organisations nationally and internationally to come and display their productions, capabilities and ideas” Commander of SLAF Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa said.

Furthermore, an international food festival featuring outlets from five-star hotels, musical nights by prominent bands, adventure rides, fashion shows as well as drone and laser shows are to be expected.

Highlighting the need for economic stability in the country, Air Force Commander said that the the event is in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, BOI, Defense and Foreign Ministries and the SriLankan Airlines supporting the event.

The SLAF is expecting a foreign as well as a local audience.

The Air Force Commander further said that the event serves as an opportunity to recruit talented officers for the Air Force, providing career opportunities for the youth of the country.

Air Marshal Rajapaksa, Director Media Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe, Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Sampath Wickremeratne and Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the exhibition Air Commodore Asela Jayasekara headed the press conference.

Air Force Commander said that he will also participate in an air display during the event.

Pix by Dilushi Wijesinghe