First batch of female pilots takes wings at Air Force academy China Bay

Two lady officers were commissioned as pilots for the first time in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force today.

The event took place at the Commissioning and Wings Parade of the 61st Intake of Officers Cadets, 13th Lady Officer Cadets Intake, the No 33rd and No 34th Kotelawala Defence University Intakes this morning (16) at the SLAF Academy in China Bay.

On the invitation of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, taking the salute as the Chief Guest at this prestigious occasion was the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne.

The day’s proceedings began on a grand note with the Commissioning Parade led by the Commanding Officer of the Ground Training Wing at China Bay, Group Captain Udaya De Silva marching on to the parade ground, the Air Force said in a press release.

The parade which consisted of three squadrons, 9 Flights and the President’s Colour received the Chief Guest with a Ceremonial General Salute. Following the salute was the highlight of the day’s agenda, the commissioning of the 53 officer cadets as Commissioned Officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force which included two lady officers being commissioned as pilots of the General Duties Pilot Branch for the first time in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

This was the culmination of nearly three years of intensive training and hard work by the officers who were from different branches such as General Duties Pilot, Technical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Logistics, Administrative Regiment and Operations Air. Having begun initial training at the Combat Training School in Diyatalawa for 21 weeks and at the Kotelawala Defence University for almost three years respectively, these officers subsequently followed their basic administrative courses and respective branch trainings at the Flying and Ground Training Wings in China Bay and the Combat Training School at Diyatalawa.

The Air Force said the next highlight of today’s parade was when the parade was handed over to the newly commissioned officers to command. Today marked the first instance in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force when a Lady Officer commanded a parade with the Presidents Colour. Pilot Officer RT Weerawardana had the honour of being the first lady officer to do so when she took over the parade as the new Parade Commander.

The next highlight was during the awarding of Flying Brevets and trophies for special achievements. For the first time in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Pilot Officer ADPL Gunarathe and Pilot Officer RT Weerawardana became the first lady officers to be awarded the prestigious Flying Brevet and be the pioneering female military aviators of Sri Lanka.

Pilot Officer RT Weerawardana created history yet again when she was awarded the prestigious “Sword of Honour” presented by Group Captain NR Raheem. The Sword of Honour is awarded to the Officer Cadet who has achieved the highest results in both academic and professional studies, and who has shown the best all-round performance throughout the course. This is the first occasion in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force when a Lady Officer has been awarded the “Sword of Honour”.

The Wings and Commissioning Parade was followed by an exhilarating aerobatics display by the Blue Eagles Aerobatics Team from the No 1 Flying Training Wing at China Bay. The Aerobatics Display Team was led by Wing Commander Prasanna De Silva, the Officer Commanding Flying at the No 1 Flying Training Wing. The Air Force ceremonial band together with SLAF Colour Wing drill display team performed next adding colour to the day’s proceedings. The courageous Air Force Para troopers conducted an exciting Para display and landed at the parade ground immediately after the band and drill display. 10 Para troopers including two airwomen led by the Commanding Officer of the Air Force Para School in Ampara, Squadron Leader Sumedha Ritigala mesmerised the spectators present for this milestone event of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Members of the Air Force Board of Management together with their spouses, a limited number of senior officers of the SLAF, officer and other ranks for the Air Force Academy in China Bay participated at today’s parade.

Special Award Winners:

Pilot Officer RT Weerawardana - Group Captain CR Weerasinghe Memorial Trophy for the Best Officer Cadet in General Duties Pilot Branch (13 Lady Officer Cadets Intake)

Pilot Officer HAYS Hewavitharana - Group Captain DS Wickramasinghe Memorial Trophy for the Best Officer Cadet in Technical Engineering Branch (61st Officer Cadets Intake)

Pilot Officer DAOS Gunarathne - Squadron Leader DSP Mendis Memorial Trophy for the Best Officer Cadet in Electronic Engineering Branch (61st Officer Cadets Intake)

Pilot Officer LDGN Fernando - Wing Commander HP Karunarathne Memorial Trophy for the Best Officer Cadet in Logistics Branch (13 Lady Officer Cadets Intake)

Pilot Officer HGGP  Gajanayake - Flight Lieutenant SVS Fernando Memorial Trophy for the Best Officer Cadet in Administrative Branch and Group Captain NR Raheem Trophy for the Best Lady Officer Cadet of the 13th Lady Officer Cadets Intake.