COVER N. 700 - SRI LANKA

Postmark:  Headquarters P. O. Colombo Mail 24.03.2026  

Posted on the 24th March;  Received on the 13th April 2026

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While Sri Lanka commemorates the 75 years of its Air Force, I celebrate the 700th cover on my blog... all in one go. So the usual බෝහම ස්තුති goes out to Ravi, who kindly helped me get another nice aviation cover and stamp in my collection.

The Sri Lanka Air Force was established on the 2nd March 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force, drawing on the assistance and experience of the Royal Air Force.

According to SLAF's site, it's first aircraft were the trustworthy De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk trainers that arrived in Sri Lanka in 1950, what puzzles me a bit, since the same source says the upon inception (1951) SLAF had no aircraft...

Anyway, today, SLAF's inventory is quite a mixed bag, since it comprises aircraft of as diverse origins as China (Chengdu J-7, Hongdu JL-8, Harbin Y-12) USA (Beechcraft King Air,  Lockheed C-130,  Bell 206/212/412, Cessna 150), Russia (Antonov An-32, Mil Mi-24/Mi-17), Germany (Dornier 228) and Israel (Kfir C12).

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of its national Air Force, Sri Lanka Post issued on 02MAR2026 a 70 Rupee stamp, illustrated with a fly by over parading troops, of  aircraft that were historically part of the operational history of SLAF: Hunting Jet Provost; Douglas DC-3 Dakota; Westland Dragonfly; De Havilland Dove and De Haviland Chipmunk.

The stamps also bears the Badge of the Sri Lanka Air Force and the 75th anniversary logo.

A usual with Ravi's letters, this one bears the postmark of Colombo's Central Post Office.