Air Force Commander attends ‘Shared Sky’ conference in Russia

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema exchanging mementoes with Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force Colonel-General Viktor Bondarev.

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema, returned to the island on Monday after concluding a five day visit to the Russian Federation where he took part in the Russian Air Force’s Centenary celebrations.

The SLAF chief was in the Russian Federation from August 9 to 13 on invitation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Federation Air Force. During the course of his visit he took part in the International Military Demonstration Conference ‘Shared Sky’ which was attended by Russian Ministry of Defence Leadership and Air Force Commanders of a number of countries.

Air Marshal Harsh Abeywickrema also held bilateral discussions with his Russian counterpart; Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force Colonel-General Viktor Bondarev where matters of mutual interest was discussed and mementoes to mark the occasion were exchanged.

The Commander was accompanied on the visit by Air Cdre Sudarshana Pathirana and Wing Commander Hiyumal Dharmadasa.