During his visit to Sri Lanka, Chief of Air Staff of the BAF participated in various events to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force. As a part of the visit, he took part in a Colour Award Ceremony at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was present at the ceremony as the Chief Guest, says a Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) press release on Monday evening.

During his stay in Sri Lanka, Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force presented books titled 'Unfinished Memoirs' written by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa, Secretary, Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka General G.D.H. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) and Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal SK Pathirana.

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As a part of the visit, Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force made courtesy calls on the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces General Kenneth S. Wilsbach and Secretary, Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka.

He also called on Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force at the Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters and exchanged views on different issues of bilateral interests.

On his arrival at Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters, Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force was received with Guard of Honour by a smartly turned out contingent. He inspected the guard and took salute. Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force witnessed Air Show on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force and exchanged views on professional matters with the Air Chiefs of the participating countries.

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During his stay in Sri Lanka, Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force visited important military and civil installations including the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy.

The visit of the Chief of Air Staff will play a vital role for strengthening the existing cordial relationship with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and expand the scope of mutual cooperation in the professional sectors. Besides, the friendly relationship between the Air Forces of both countries will be further strengthened and there will be an opportunity to exchange views on professional matters with the representatives of the participating countries.

It is expected that this visit will create opportunities for BAF to play a vital role in the future development of the defence sector.

It is mentionable that Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force left Dhaka for Sri Lanka by a C-130J

aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force on March 3 on an official visit accepting the invitation of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force.