Streamlined to assist Govt's nation-building projects:

SLAF now conquers the land

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

They were the eyes for the infantry troops on the ground. The visions of the enemy territory captured by their unmanned aircrafts and the surveillance of the beachcrafts assisted the ground commanders of the Army to give the accurate orders. When their MI24s blasted the enemy bunker lines at close range MIGs and Kfirs devastated movements of the enemy.

The Sri Lanka Air Force, proved their true strength rubbing their skills against the rough edged terrorism that haunted Sri Lanka nearly three decades. In eliminating LTTE terrorism from the country the SLAF shouldered a mammoth responsibility. When the threats were over and peace re-emerged everyone thought it was time for the forces to squeeze back in to their bunkers and camps cutting down all connections with the rest of the non military world. Though the soldiers keep the arms on safety mode at all times they have not given up serving the country. Today they are seen at every development drive; be it a mega national level scheme or just repairing village road soldiers, airmen and sailors play a leading role.

Today, they who conquered the skies have conquered the land too. Aligned with the Government development vision the SLAF, using their valuable human resource, in a multi faceted approach serves the nation while looking after their veterans and the welfare of the entire force.

After Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama assumed duties as the present commander, the special project ventures operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force were streamlined to assist "Nation Building Projects of the Government," said Air Force Spokesman Wing Commander Shiraz Jaldeen explaining the new approach of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Today the Air Force runs around 32 welfare projects through their bases and camps spread across the country benefiting the civil population while earning an income with their commitment. The projects include Agricultural Farming ventures, large scale landscaping projects, garment factories and revenue generating joint farming ventures establish with private companies where exporting market opportunities have been explored. These projects immensely contribute to the development of the country whilst providing tremendous job opportunities for the youths in rural areas.

The livestock and Agro farming ventures have produced Rs. 180 million worth of products whilst generating Rs. 30 million as profits during the year 2012. The total welfare contribution rendered by these ventures for the civil and service community is nearly Rs. 60 million, according to Air Commodore Leonard Rodrigo of the Command Welfare Project Unit.

"Presently the Sri Lanka Air Force actively taking part in various nation building projects on par with the government vision - "Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu" concept, said Air Commodore Rodrigo. The Command Welfare Project Agro Unit conducts vast number of projects such as Coconut cultivation, Dairy Farm and Milk Processing Unit, Poultry Projects, Piggery Project, Meat processing Unit and the Mushroom cultivating project at the estate in SLAF Base Katunayake.

The Dairy Projects established in various SLAF stations throughout the country has more than 500 cattle and 300 buffaloes to produce fresh milk, yoghurt, butter, curd and ice cream. This dairy ventures produce 4,500 litres of fresh milk and 4,000 litres of buffaloe milk, 3,500 pots of curd, 150,000 cups of yoghurt monthly, on an average.

These products are sold at concessionary prices in farm shops at Air Force premises and sales outlets at Ratmalana and Colombo.

The coconut cultivation of the SLAF takes place in association with the Coconut Cultivation Board at Katunayake, Ekala, Giriulla, Koggala, Weerawila, Palavi and Sigiriya. Over 2,000 acres of land is cultivated producing nearly 600,000 nuts per year. Under the project production of coconut oil, Copra desiccated coconut, Coconut Husk, distribution of coconut seedlings are undertaken. The coconut produced by this cultivation is sold at concessionary prices among service and civil personnel.

Cultivation and other Agro Projects are established at the SLAF Peraru. The paddy cultivation established in the extent of more than 300 acres of land at Morawewa in Trincomalee, presently produces nearly 300,000 kilograms of rice. These are distributed among service and civil families within SLAF organisation at a concessionary rate. This project employing families living in those areas thus has upgraded their living status with a steady income generation.

The poultry farming ventures involve in producing various poultry items such as Broiler meat, Eggs, Turkey, Duck and Country chicken. The Broiler project operations produce more than 50,000 kilograms of meat per month on average. The SLAF has its own Poultry Breeder farm and Hatchery in Sigiriya and able to produce broiler chicks. The excess production of broiler chicks is distributed among the civil farmers in north and east areas to upgrade national meat production of the country special in rural areas.

The piggeries managed by Command Welfare Project Unit house with more than 1,500 pigs and produces nearly 30,000 Kg of pork as the monthly production. The pork produced by the project is processed in to high quality chops and presently the SLAF produces good quality pork sausages which are sold at farm shops. The fresh juice outlets established in various SLAF stations specially in Colombo, Katunayake have been highly impressed by the service and public community. These outlets produce good quality freshly prepared juice of various commonly and rarely available fruit varieties at concessionary prices.

Further, the landscaping unit of Sri Lanka Air Force engages in ventures within the Sri Lanka Air Force organisation namely Pallekele Holiday Home, Nuwara Eliya Holiday Home, Air Force Headquarters premises and Reception Hall at Katunayake. The Green Grass cultivating projects where Blue Grass and Australian Grass are intensely cultivated have been established in Katunayake and Ratmalana Air Force Base premises in order to provide material for landscaping.

The large scale ornamental and forestry plant nursery managed at Katunayake provides plants and other material require for Colombo and other Air Force premises beautification. This particular plant nursery provides ornamental and forestry plant at concessionary rate for service and civil personnel with in and out side organisation.

The nursery currently maintain more than 20,000 ornamental, and forestry plants.

Another efficient welfare measure taken up by the SLAF is their own super market chain operated within the organisation. "The SLAF directly involve in purchasing super market products from reputed companies which are distributed from a central hub in Ratmalana. These super markets have sold Rs. 212 million worth items in 2011 and Rs. 213 million worth items in 2012 and have recorded Rs. 11 million as profit in last," said Air Commodore Rodrigo.

Going beyond self sustainable concepts today the SLAF has ventured into export market with several high quality agro products that are in greater demand.

The project venture jointly initiated with leading private companies is currently involved in production of Jalapeno-pepper, Gherkin in Polytunnels and green houses for the export market, according to Air Commodore Rodrigo.

"We are hoping to produce raw material, Caster seeds for bio-fuel as a joint venture with a multinational company of United States," he said explaining the future plans of the SLAF inspired by their own success.

With all these efforts the Air Force earns a steady income enabling the smooth run of their welfare activities without being dependent on the Government budget.

"All these business ventures do not depend on the budget we get from the treasury.

We use our own money that we generate through these projects to improve our businesses," Air Commodore Rodrigo added.

Today these courageous men and women of the Air Force have proved that nothing is beyond reach when working as a team. Rather being confined to their barracks, the Air Force is more than happy to continue as a part and parcel of the development of the country using all their talents to the maximum.