SLAF clarifies over airman who claims he does not want to be a slave to SLAF

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) yesterday said that an airman who claimed that he did not want to be a slave to the Sri Lanka Air Force, has left the SLAF on termination of his initial engagement of eight-years.   

An airman named Asanka Srimal, who served in the Sri Lanka Air Force has posted a social media post that he left the service stating, “My choice was taken because I did not want to be a slave to Sri Lanka Air Force”.   
However, SLAF Spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe said that he left the Air Force on 21st July 2022 on termination of his initial engagement of eight-years.   
“An Air Force member is generally entitled to serve up to 22 years in service at his or her own discretion. Nevertheless, required provisions are vested to Air Force to decide the extension of service is approved after the termination of initial engagement, based on the conduct of the particular service member concern,” the SLAF said.   
Further, this airman was found guilty for the offences in two occasions for financial frauds during his last serving period at SLAF Station Katukurunda. 

However, this individual was officially discharged from the Air Force after termination of his initial engagement of 8 years owing to the reason that his extension was impossible to authorize due to his disgraceful conduct which has been sentenced under the Air Force act.   

Therefore, based on the aforementioned circumstances, his discharge was caused by the inability to prolong his service and it is baseless so say that frustration and dissatisfaction in the service led to him resigning, Group Captain Wijesinghe said.