Colombo: The Colombo Air Symposium 2025 (CAS), an annual international academic forum organized by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), commenced today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo. Under the guidance of Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, the symposium is themed ‘Transforming Air and Space Power for a Resilient Tomorrow: Prospects for Air Forces of the Indian Ocean Rim.’ The event gathered intellectuals, diplomats, military leaders, policymakers, and technological experts to discuss the evolving role of air and space power in today’s global security environment.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), attended as the Chief Guest, with the keynote address delivered by Dr. Brian W. Cole from the Eisenhower School, National Defence University, Washington, DC. The symposium was attended by Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and delegates from the Air Forces of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) membe
r countries and dialogue partners, along with foreign research authors and high-ranking officers from all three armed forces.

Also present were the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, past Commanders of the SLAF, senior officers of the Tri-Services, state officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and distinguished scholars. The symposium will continue tomorrow, featuring the second and final sessions.