The Sri Lanka Air Force Museum was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (Nov. 5) at Ratmalana Air Force Base.

It is said to be the only national museum dedicated entirely to aviation and the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The museum is at the Ratmalana Air Base in a seven acre land.

It was originally established in 1993 with the intention of preserving SLAF history of aviation and also as a storage unit. Later it has been restructured as the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum.

Now it has new exhibits, facilities and several hangers which house photo galleries, mini theaters and air craft of historical importance, equipment and war items used since 1951. Several vintage air craft, vehicles and equipments have been restored to operational condition. Among the new exhibits, LTTE's Zlin 143 light air craft shot down by SLAF during the suicide air raid on Colombo and other LTTE ammunition silenced by SLAF are on display.

The museum is now opened to the public on all days from 9:00AM to 5:00PM other than Sunday, Monday, Public Holidays and Poya days.