Two female officers commissioned as pilots for first time in SLAF history

Two Lady Officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) were commissioned as Pilots of the General Duties Pilot Branch for the first time in the history of the SLAF, at the the SLAF Academy in China Bay today (16).

Today’s parade was handed over to the newly commissioned Officers to command, and today marked the first instance in the history of the SLAF 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.

Also, for the first time in the history of the SLAF, 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.

At the event, Pilot Officer RT Weerawardana was awarded the prestigious “Sword of Honour” presented by Group Captain NR Raheem. 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”.

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, attended the event as the chief guest.