Defence Services Command and Staff College

COURSE VISIT TO SRI LANKA AIR FORCE BASE KATUNAYAKE

1. On 19 February 2026, a delegation, headed by the Chief Instructors of the Army, Navy, and Air Wings of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) visited the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Base Katunayake. The delegation included Tri-Service faculty members and Course Participants of the DSCSC Course No 20, comprising 124 local Course Participants and 34 foreign Course Participants from 13 different countries. This annual study visit provided a significant opportunity for participants to gain a detailed understanding of SLAF’s operational and tactical functions, its airpower capabilities, and the engineering infrastructure of a technical force.

2. At the commencement of the programme, an experienced panel of SLAF Officers conducted comprehensive briefings on the historical evolution, operational capabilities, and technological advancements of the flying and engineering formations located at SLAF Base Katunayake. Subsequently, the delegation visited key formations including the No 02 Heavy Transport Squadron, Aircraft Engineering Wing and Aircraft Overhaul Wing. During the visit, Course Participants had the opportunity to visit displayed C-130, AN-32, F-7 and Kfir aircraft with the armament capabilities.

3. The Base Commander of SLAF Base Katunayake, AVM JMDRAP Jayamaha, along with the Commanding Officers of the respective flying and engineering formations facilitated the delegation throughout the visit. The delegation was also hosted with a formal lunch at the Officers’ Mess, fostering comradeship among sister services and foreign Course Participants while promoting joint and combined cooperation. The visit concluded with the presentation of mementoes to the Base Commander SLAF Base Katunayake, President Mess Committee, Officers’ Mess SLAF Base Katunayake, the Commanding Officers of Flying and Engineering formations as tokens of appreciation for the hospitality extended to the DSCSC delegation.

COURSE VISIT TO SRI LANKA AIR FORCE BASE KATUNAYAKE_2026