The foundation stone for the construction of a new auditorium at SLAF Academy China Bay under the grant donated by Indian Air Force strengthening the longstanding relationship was jointly laid yesterday (04 May 2023) by the patronage of Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, the visiting Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force and Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana.
The new building is located inside the academy next to the gymnasium. The auditorium can accommodate up to 700 people, with 565 on the main hall and 135 on the balcony. The intended period for the construction of this project is 6 months.
The facilities will consist with a stage with sounds and lighting, fully air conditioned main hall with balcony, control room, VIP room with wash room, ticketing and information office, dressing room for males and females, separate wash room for males and females and landscaped premises with parking space. The auditorium will benefit all trainees in the Academy including Student Officers of Junior Command and Staff College, Officer Cadets in Ground Training Wing and NCOs of Non Commission Officers Management School.
This memorable occasion inaugurated amidst the multi religious blessings and the event was attended by President Indian Air Force Wives Welfare Association, Mrs. Neeta Chaudhari, Chairperson SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Charmini Pathirana, other IAF visiting dignitaries, Director General Civil Engineering Air Vice Marshal Udula Wijesinghe, Director General Training Air Vice Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, Commandant SLAF Academy China Bay Air Commodore Deshapriya Silva along with a cross section of Officers and Airmen representing the Sri Lanka Air Force.