Sri Lanka Air Force initiates ’’Wings of Friendship’’ projects worth Rs 125 Mn in North

14 February 2024 06:33 pm - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, Feb 14 (Daily Mirror) - Moving away from the Colombo and Southern Province, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has made arrangements to initiate a series of projects under the theme "Wings of Friendship," coinciding with the 73rd anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force in the North from March 2.

As part of this initiative, community development programmes will be executed, focusing on the northern province, with a financial value exceeding Rs 125 million.

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa said that in the northern province of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya, and Mullaitivu areas, 73 schools have been identified for development/renovation. The commencement of these projects has already begun, with an estimated total cost of about Rs 100 million.

Moreover, a donation of 73,000 school books will be made to selected schools under the program "Magen Pothak Uthurata," with an estimated cost of Rs 25 million.

The Commander emphasized that state funds will not be utilized for these projects, and all funding will come from donors.

The Commander said that the Sri Lanka Air Force plans to conduct the “Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya 2024” for the 25th occasion, coinciding with the 73rd Anniversary of the SLAF. This event will take place from March 3 to 7, covering a 650km distance for the men's event, starting from Galle Face and concluding at Jaffna Muttraweli Grounds, while the female race will cover 100km.

The SLAF will also host the Air Tattoo, Education, and Technology exhibition from March 6 to 10 at Muttraweli Grounds in Jaffna. During the Tattoo, several events and shows including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations will be conducted, utilizing Indian Air Force and SLAF helicopters.

The Commander said that the general public including students, will have access to explore the technology showcased during the event, stating, "I think that this will be a huge opportunity for all the students and also, the general public to come and see and explore their world."

He also highlighted the substantial support received from the people in Jaffna, emphasizing the unity between SLAF and the local community, as well as support from international organizations and the diaspora.

Meanwhile, the income generated from the air tattoo will be directed towards funding the "Wings of Friendship" projects.

Air Vice Marshal Muditha Mahawattage, the head of the organizing committee, and Air Force Spokesperson Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe also attended the media briefing held at the Air Force Headquarters in Akuregoda.

Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

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Comments - 9

The truth Wednesday, 14 February 2024 07:47 PM

Thank you airforce for your help. Better late than never. However for the improvements and stability of Sri Lanka, we need two states in one country.

THE TRUTH Wednesday, 14 February 2024 10:01 PM

SRI LANKA IS A CAPITALIST COUNTRY AND MARKET ECONOMI.. SL IS NOT COMMUNIST REGIMENT IF YOU HAVE QUALIFIED, LOT OF OPPORTUNITY IN THE REACH COUNTIES.

Jaffna Resident Wednesday, 14 February 2024 10:06 PM

Sri Lankan Airforce’s initiatives in the North is welcomed but don’t bring the Indians into this and loose the purpose.

Buddhist Sinhalese Married to Jaffna Hindu Tamil Wife Wednesday, 14 February 2024 10:21 PM

Youths in Jaffna would enjoy this event and certainly an event like this much needed for the North. But Indian Airforce involvement would definitely trigger trouble in the North as the majority of the Tamils in the North are totally against India.

Jaffna Tamil Thursday, 15 February 2024 12:56 AM

@ -B S married to J H Tamil - please don’t live in the past. The Indian politicians and that JRJ who sent the IPKF are no longer there. Where is the proof that the majority of Tamils are against India ? Infact the Tamils are pleading for help from India on education, health, constructions, travels and tourism. Recently Tamils enjoyed Indian cultural music. Unfortunately marred by poor security.

Robert Thursday, 15 February 2024 03:24 AM

They have money to burn while the country starves. Joining with Indian military personnel is an excellent initiative. It is most welcomed in the north.

Bala Thursday, 15 February 2024 10:33 AM

Immediately Indian trolls have started to saturate the comment section with misleading picture that the Tamils in the North are happy with Indian military coming again to North. I am a professional Jaffna Tamil currently living in Canada and I can categorically say all PURE TAMILS from the NORTH have never FORGOTTEN nor FORGIVEN THE INDIAN MILITARY. Let me echo the Sinhalese Buddhist and say that if Indian Airforce take part in the planed activities in the North then I can fully say there would be a strong counter action against the Indians, mark my words.

Villager Thursday, 15 February 2024 06:37 PM

Time has moved on . We welcome Indian initiatives. Can the Sri Lankan airforce personnel speak Tamil or learn Tamil please . This will help them to settle well in the North and East.

Spartacus Thursday, 15 February 2024 07:22 PM

This is like, Poya Sil and other days Kill. You bomb your own civilian population of Jaffna using all your fighter jets and now want to make up for that mistake.

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Sri Lanka Air Force initiates ’’Wings of Friendship’’ projects worth Rs 125 Mn in North

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