Pic by Reka Tharangani Fonseka

• Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, officially  handed over the aircraft to the Vice-Chancellor of the UOM

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on Monday handed over a Mig-27 fighter aircraft which was removed from active service, to the University of Moratuwa to promote the Aeronautical Engineering Degree programme.  

Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, officially handed over the aircraft to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa (UOM), Senior Professor Niranjan Gunawardana in order to strengthen the longstanding partnership between the Sri Lanka Air Force and the University of Moratuwa.  

In addition, a formal Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the Air Force Commander and Vice-Chancellor to further solidify the long standing partnership, the SLAF said.  

During the handing over ceremony, the Commander highlighted that it was an honour to be able to donate a fighter aircraft that provided yeoman service to the nation, to the University, to continue to serve the nation by being an invaluable educational aid for aspiring aeronautical engineers of the country.  

Addressing the event, Vice-Chancellor (UOM) extended his gratitude to the Commander of the Air Force, being the highest rank military officer to visit the University for such an important donation to uplift the aeronautical engineering knowledge of young aviation engineers.  

• The Commander highlighted that it was an honour to be able to donate a  fighter aircraft that provided yeoman service to the nation, to the  University