Sri Lanka Air Force Women's Wing

Sri Lanka Air Force Women's Wing
Active	1983–present
Country	Sri Lanka
Allegiance	Sri Lanka
Branch	Sri Lanka Air Force
Engagements	Sri Lankan civil war

The Sri Lanka Air Force Women's Wing (SLAF Women's Wing) is the women's branch of the Sri Lanka Air Force, it was created in 1983[1] which consists of the female members of the Sri Lanka Air Force, both airwomen[2] and lady officers.[2] Only unmarried women can join.[1] Women were first admitted to the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1972 when female officers joined the Volunteer Air Force.[3][4] Initially, women could not become pilots.[5] However, in 1998 women were recruited to train for the elite pilots' wing to replace losses to the Tamil Tigers in their insurgency. 800 women applied for the 33 available places to fly transport planes.[6]

Officers Commanding of SLAF Women's Wing include:

• Air Vice Marshal G. D. Perera (? – 1 August 2002)[7]
• Group Captain M. H. Karannagoda (2 August 2002 – ?)[7]

References

1. "Women's Wing". airforce.lk. Archived from the original on 8 August 2009.
2. "SLAF holds passing out parade at China Bay". dailynews.lk. 14 January 2019.
3. "Life in the Air force; A chat with one of the first women to join the SLAF". dailymirror.lk. 30 November 2021.
4. "Air Force to increase women wing to 30 percent – AF Commander". CeylonToday. 1 July 2023. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023.
5. Raj K. Mehta, Lost Victory: The Rise & Fall of LTTE Supremo, V. Prabhakaran, p. 135, Pentagon Press, 2010 ISBN 9788182744431.
6. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada, "Sri Lanka: Organization and structure of the Sri Lankan Airforce including ranks, units, squadrons and the duties assigned to different personnel; location of squadrons and departments", UNHCR Refworld, Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, 14 March 2001.
7. "2002 Sri Lanka Air Force Annual Performance Report" (PDF). Parliament of Sri Lanka. p. 6.