The Sri Lanka Air Force Academy in China Bay is set to receive a brand new auditorium, courtesy of a grant from the Indian Air Force. The foundation stone for the construction of this new facility was jointly laid on Thursday (4) by Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, the Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, and Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana.
Located inside the academy next to the gymnasium, the new auditorium is set to accommodate up to 700 people, with 565 seats in the main hall and 135 on the balcony. The construction period is intended to take six months.
The new facilities will be fully air-conditioned and consist of a stage with sound and lighting, a control room, VIP room with washroom, ticketing and information office, dressing rooms for males and females, separate washrooms for males and females, and landscaped premises with parking space.
The new auditorium will benefit all trainees at the Academy, including Student Officers of Junior Command and Staff College, Officer Cadets in the Ground Training Wing and NCOs of Non-Commissioned Officers Management School.
The ceremony, which was attended by a cross-section of officers and airmen representing the Sri Lanka Air Force, as well as other Indian Air Force visiting dignitaries, was a memorable occasion blessed by representatives from multiple religions. President of the Indian Air Force Wives Welfare Association Neeta Chaudhari and Chairperson SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit Charmini Pathirana were also in attendance.
