Over 23 teams representing all SLAF establishments took part in the drill competition from which three teams, from SLAF Bases in Ratmalana, Anuradhapura and Morawewa qualified to perform in the finals.
SLAF Station Morawewa Team (438.2 points) led by Pilot Officer ANV Meethalawa marched ahead of the other teams to receive the Championship Trophy from Air Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala, whilst SLAF Base Anuradhapura team (430.94 points) led by Flight Lieutenant DMK Gamage and SLAF Base Rathmalana Team (422.7 points) led by Pilot Officer HHD Jeewantha became second and third respectively.
The Band Competition was between the Military Band of the Red Wing of SLAF Base Katunayake and the military band of SLAF Academy China Bay.
The SLAF has a total of 4 military bands. The first Military band was formed on the 1st of July 1970 and was divided into two in 2002. Known as the Band A and Band B initially, they were later renamed as Red Wing and Green Wing in 2005. In 2007 in order to reduce the burden on the two military bands and to meet the requirement of the passing out parades and other ceremonial activities of the basic training establishment of the SLAF a third Military band was formed and based permanently in Diyatalawa. Similarly with the re-establishing of the SLAF Academy in China bay, the need for a fourth Military Band arose and thus the Military Band of China Bay was formed in 2009.
On Friday, the two bands in the finals put on a combined display of music and drill at SLAF Katunayake and entertained the audience with their precision moves and quick tempo music. However though both bands were equally good, one always will do better and it was the band from SLAF Academy China Bay (788.5 points) Which won the Inter Unit Band Competition, whilst Red Wing of SLAF Base Katunayake (701.75 points)became the runners up.
Chairman Organizing committee and Director Ground Operations Air Vice Marshal K Yahampath, Members of the Air Force Board of Management, Base Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake Air Commodore SK Pathirana, senior Officers, Officers and other ranks were also present at this occasion.
