Colombo. Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC, arrived at Colombo on March 3 on an invitation from Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).

Notably, SLAF is celebrating its 70th anniversary on March 2 and presentation of the President’s colours to two of its Units on March 5, and Air Chief’s visit along with an Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent is a part of the celebration.

As part of his visit, the CAS attended the inaugural ceremony on March 3, during which a Flypast and Aerobatic Display was scheduled. The air show at Galle Face Colombo saw participation by the IAF contingent comprising of Suryakiran & Sarang Aerobatic Display Teams and Tejas LCA. The IAF contingent arrived in Colombo on February 27. The flypast, a significant event, is a reminiscence of the IAF’s Suryakiran Display Team performance at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of SLAF, two decades ago.

During the course of the two day visit, the CAS is scheduled to interact with various dignitaries and the heads of Services of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka. IAF and SLAF have had consistent cooperative exchanges over the years and interact regularly through Headquarters level Air Staff talks to share valuable experiences in the fields of ground and flying training, professional military education, HADR & operational best practices.

Recent years have also seen the two Air Forces increased inter-personnel engagements through exchange visits of serving personnel and families to both countries.

The presence of the CAS during the inaugural day of the Air Show reinforces the strength of IAF-SLAF ties. The visit would further strengthen the existing cooperative process and open up newer avenues of mutual interest.