The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) recently launched ‘Royal Wings over Ceylon’, a publication that highlights the early years of air power in Sri Lanka during the Royal Air Force era, which paved the way for the establishment of the Royal Ceylon Air Force in 1951. The book was launched on Tuesday (21) at the Air Force Museum, SLAF Base Ratmalana and was graced by the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa as the chief guest and the Deputy High Commissioner at the British High Commission Lisa Whanstall as the guest of honour.
At the ceremonial launch, the first copy of ‘Royal Wings over Ceylon’ was presented by the Editor-in-Chief Air Commodore Poojana Gunatilake and Air Secretary Air Commodore Dushan Wijesinghe to the Commander of the Air Force. This was followed by the second copy being ceremonially handed over to Whanstall, who also received a memento in appreciation of her presence.
Defence advisors and attachés from diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka were also presented copies of the publication, which included Australian High Commission Defence Advisor Colonel Amanda Johnston, Bangladesh High Commission Defence Advisor Commodore Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Chinese Embassy Defence Advisor Senior Colonel Zhou Bo, Japanese Embassy Defence Attaché Captain Yuki Yokohari, Maldives High Commission Defence Advisor Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Amir, Pakistan High Commission Defence Advisor Colonel Muhammad Farooq, and US Embassy Deputy Chief Office of Defence Cooperation Major Elizabeth Hewett.
At the launch, co-author and member of the editorial board Squadron Leader Rehan Goonetileke introduced the publication, detailing its aim to preserve the nation’s aviation heritage.
Significance of the book
Diplomatic historian and former Sri Lankan diplomat Dr. George Cooke shared a detailed review of the book, emphasising its value in understanding the historical ties between Sri Lanka and the Royal Air Force. He began by explaining the significance of the book and why he felt it needed a wide readership.
According to Dr. Cooke, the book focuses on a chapter of not just Sri Lankan history, but also world history. “It belongs up there with all literature that is ascribed to the Second World War,” he said.
Referring to the year 1942, when the Japanese Navy attacked Colombo, he said: “No lesser person than the British Prime Minister on that occasion noted that this was the most dangerous moment in the Second World War, when the attack took place on this island. Had the Axis powers been successful, had Ceylon become a part of an empire of another country, this could have been the launching pad for an attack of what was known as the Jewel in the Ground, neighbouring India.”
This could have changed the tide of the Second World War, Dr. Cooke said, sharing: “Churchill himself noted the significance of this moment. And this is where this book takes on added significance.”
In his address, Dr. Cooke said the book talks about different aspects of developments that took place, giving the reader an introduction to the various bases found around the country and the various heroes during this period. “The book gives you also a succinct introduction to some of those first civilians who were joining the Royal Air Force, who were joining forces out there in order to be a part of the Second World War. It also talks about the first Ceylonese woman pilot who was involved in the Second World War – the only one who was involved in the Second World War.”
Even though the Second World War took place decades ago, Dr. Cooke explained why the book is still relevant. “We live in a world, in an international order, which was dictated by the victory of the Second World War. If you look at multilateralism today, if you look at global powerhouses out there, we are seeing gradual changes, but much of history remains what we experience today,” Dr. Cooke said, pointing out that this is where history becomes very important.
“If we do not know history, if we do not understand, if we do not realise what has happened, we are likely to repeat the mistakes of the past. We are likely to see a repetition of some of those moments, and the manner in which we deal with them will be dictated by how we dealt with them in the past,” he said, sharing that this is why the book must be disseminated far and wide, so it is read not just in Sri Lanka but all over the world.
“Recording history, reviving history, and revisiting history becomes very much a part of what we do in the present. We understand the past to prepare for the present and strategise for the future,” he said.