President lauds role of air force to defeat LTTE

The Sri Lanka Air Force, demonstrating its specific skills, weakened the enemy by attacking them directly when the Army and Navy were facing difficult situations in the operation to eradicate the LTTE, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

The President made these remarks while participating at the passing out ceremony to commission Cadet Officers of the Air Force, held today?at the Air Force Camp in China Bay.

The President, who was welcomed by the Air Force Officers according to military traditions, was escorted by them to the main stage.

President Sirisena commissioned 46 male and female Cadet Officers of the batch number 55 and number 7 respectively. He also pinned Flying Official Badges to eight officers of 83rd Flying Cadet Officer Course.

Five hundred and ninety four (594) Airmen and Airwomen who successfully completed the courses of permanent junior Airmen of Batch number 161 and permanent junior Airwomen of Batch number 31 passed out at this occasion.

The President also expressed his satisfaction over the high standards and the quality of the services of Air force.

The President recalled with honour the war heroes who sacrificed their lives for Sri Lanka and those who were disabled. He also paid tribute to the relatives of the war heroes for their great service to the country.

President Sirisena further said that the Sri Lanka Air Force did an excellent service to protect the sea boundaries of the country and has earned the respect for fulfilling their duties trustworthy with a great commitment during the past few decades.

The President said that he believes in the future, the officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force would fulfill their duties on national security in a similar manner with the guidance of the new Commander of the Air Force. He also pledged to provide required new technology and facilities to fulfill their duties in a perfectly satisfactory manner.

Governor of the Eastern Province Austin Fernando, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Vice Marshal Gagan Bulathsinhala, Air Cdre Sagara Kotakadeniya, Dean of the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy China Bay and? officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force Directors Board participated in the event.