SLAF to celebrate 68th Anniversary with Air Tattoo and Papedi Sawariya

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) will be celebrating its 68th Anniversary on March 2 with the Air Tattoo at Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Hingurakgoda.

The press briefing of the “68th Air Force Day Exposition and Air Tattoo - 2019” and the 20th consecutive “Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya-2019 ” was held at the Air Force Headquarters on Wednesday.

Director Air Operations of the SLAF and Chairman Organizing Committee Air Tattoo,air Vice Marshal S. K. Pathirana said that in view of the Air Force Day, a Presidential Colour would be awarded to the No. 7 Helicopter Squadron and the No. 8 Light Transport Squadron, in recognition of their outstanding service to the nation.

He said the Air Tattoo will be held from March

2 to 6, and will showcase stalls from various units and formations of the Air Force.

“The first day’s proceedings will commence at 10.00 am and conclude at mid night, while on the other four days, proceedings will commence at 2.00 pm and continue till midnight. Entrance for all five days will be Free of Charge,”air Vice Marshal Pathirana said.

Vice Chancellor of the Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and Chairman SLAF Cycling, Air Vice Marshal H. M. S. K. B. Kotakadeniya said that Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya -2019 will be conducted for the 20th consecutive year in concurrence with the Air Force anniversary.

“The duration of the race will be three days. It will start on March 1 from Air Force Headquarters in Colombo, passing each leg through Kandy, anuradhapura, Habarana and conclude in Polonnaruwa. It will cover a distance of 414 km,” he said.