The primary ever Indian Naval Dornier has been inducted to Sri Lanka Air Drive (SLAF) Fleet at this time in a ceremonial procession below the supervision by Commander of the Air Drive, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at SLAF Base Katunayake as a means ahead of the comradeship with neighboring India. The occasion was held below the auspices of the chief visitor Chief of the Armed Forces and the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe and the Excessive Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Gopal Baglay. After arriving to its new residence, the Sri Lankan President and the Indian Excessive Commissioner had been accompanied to examine the inside of the plane by Commander of the Air Drive. Afterwards, the Commander of the Air Drive, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana commenced proceedings with the welcome deal with the place insisted that main occasion at this time unfold a brand new chapter within the defence cooperation of each nations particularly drawing consideration to the maritime safety whereas thanking Authorities of India and Indian Navy.
The ceremony was commenced after the arrival of the chief visitor, who was welcomed by the Commander of the Air Drive on the entrance and accorded a ceremonial guard of honour by No. 43 SLAF Color Wing at No. 02 Heavy Transport Squadron premises. After the arrival of the dignitaries the newly inducted Dornier-228 has introduced its maiden salute to the Chief Visitor and step by step arrived to the apron at No.02 Heavy Transport Squadron premises which was welcomed with water cannon salute forming a ravishing arc of cascading water for the plane to go below. This signifies the great custom within the aviation business the place an plane is sprayed with water as a ceremonial and symbolic gesture to honour army veterans, overseas dignitaries and even plane which can be retiring. It additionally signifies the start of a brand new life for an plane as is the case of this Dornier 228 and the salute is an indication of honour, respect and gratitude.
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The Excessive Commissioner of India then addressed the distinguished gathering the place he spoke of the lengthy standing shut relationship between India and Sri Lanka which spans all through historical past and induction at this time is an emblem of deep cooperation of two nations. In conclusion, the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe addressed the event the place he thanked the Authorities of India and Indian Navy on behalf of the Authorities of Sri Lanka, for his or her continues assist to the Sri Lankan army to maintain the Nationwide Safety in Sri Lankan territory. As well as, the President harassed the significance of the dedication to additional strengthen the connection. Then Commander of the Air Drive, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana introduced miniature of the Dornier plane to the Chief Visitor, Indian Excessive Commissioner, Vice Chief of Employees of Indian Navy and different distinguished dignitaries to represent the appreciation particularly to the generosity of the Authorities of India and the Indian Navy. The ceremony was attended by Chief of Employees of the President’s Workplace and Senior Presidential Advisor on Nationwide Safety, Mr Sagala Rathnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Normal Kamal Guneratne (Retd), Chief of Defence Employees, Normal Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Military, Lieutenant Normal Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne.
The newly inducted Indian Naval Dornier (INDO – 228) is a Brief Take Off and Touchdown (STOL), multirole gentle transport plane with a turboprop twin-engine, produced since 1981. Dornier GmbH of Germany being the Authentic Tools Producer constructed 245 plane in the course of the interval of 1981-1998. Subsequently, Hindustan Aeronautics Restricted has been engaged within the manufacturing of Dornier plane, below the license of Dornier GmbH since 1993. The plane shall be executed its tour of responsibility solely by certified Dornier crew of SLAF and maintained by certified technicians of SLAF below the supervision of Indian technical group comprising of engineering officers and technicians. The SLAF intends to successfully make use of the Dornier plane particularly to conduct Maritime and Coastal Surveillance Operations throughout the Unique Financial Zone (EEZ), Search and Rescue Operations (SAR), Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) and Maritime Air pollution Monitoring and Management inside Sri Lankan Search and Rescue Area (SRR) to achieve SLAF final imaginative and prescient of “Making certain the Nationwide Safety by way of Efficient Employment of Airpower” inside Sri Lankan Airspace.
