First Commander of SLAF Air Chief Marshal P.H. Mendis passed away

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Former Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Chief Marshal P.H. Mendis (Retd) passed away this morning, his family said. He was the first Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

The late Air Chief Marshal who was popularly known as "Paddy Mendis" was born on January 22, 1933. He joined the newly formed Royal Ceylon Air Force as its fifth recruit in August 1951.

Air Cheif Marshal Mendis made steady progression through the ranks of Pilot Officer to Air Commodore and was appointed as the 4th Commander of Royal Ceylon Air Force on January 1, 1971. He was the first Ceylonese Officer to command Royal Ceylon Air Force.

With Ceylon becoming a Republic in 1972, the Royal Ceylon Air Force changed its name to the Sri Lanka Air Force along with its entire insignia and Air Vice Marshal P.H Mendis became the first Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force.

The remain lies at Mahinda funeral parlour, No 591, Galle Road, Mount Lavinia.

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