Two female officers have been commissioned as pilots for the first time in the history of the Sri Lanka Airforce. The officers were commissioned at the Commissioning and Wings Parade of the 61st Intake of Officers Cadets, 13th Lady Officer Cadets Intake, the No 33rd and No 34th Kotelawala Defence University Intakes today (16) at the SLAF Academy in China Bay.
53 Officer Cadets were Commissioned as Officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force which included two female Officers being commissioned as Pilots of the General Duties Pilot Branch for the first time in the History of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The day also marked another first when a female Officer commanded a parade with the President’s Colours. Pilot Officer R.T Weerawardana had the honour of being the first female Officer to do so when she took over the parade as the new Parade Commander.
Pilot Officer A.D.P.L Gunarathe and Pilot Officer R.T Weerawardana became the first female Officers to be awarded the prestigious Flying Brevet. Weerawardana also created history yet again when she was awarded the prestigious “Sword of Honour” presented by Group Captain NR Raheem.
The sword of honour is awarded to the Officer Cadet who has achieved the highest results in both academic and professional studies, and who has shown the best all-round performance throughout the course. This is the first occasion in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force when a female Officer has been awarded the “Sword of Honour”.
