Sri Lanka’s civil aviation sector celebrates 100 years of service

Sri Lanka’s civil aviation services held its centenary celebrations at Temple Trees under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week.

The civil aviation sector completes 100 years of service beginning with the first plane performing its successful flight at the Race Course Grounds in Colombo on 7 December 1912.

The Civil Aviation Ministry issued four postage stamps along with institutions affiliated to the civil aviation sector and a book authored by Captain Elmo Jayawardena to mark the centenary of aviation was also launched at the ceremony.

The President awarded prizes to the students winning the art competition held among schools islandwide under the theme ‘Conquering the Blue Sky (Nil Ahasa Jayaganimu)’.

Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne and Deputy Minister Geethanjana Gunawardena also participated in the occasion.

Pix by Sudath Silva