The close relationship between the militaries of Sri Lankan and the United States was once again demonstrated with two Sri Lankan air force cadets being selected to attend a leadership program in the US.
Sir Lanka is one of a few countries permitted to nominate candidates each year for the U.S. Service Academy Program. Sri Lanka is even more unique in that it is one of the very few countries that receive a full tuition waiver for the four-year degree program.
Two Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) cadets were selected for a four-year program designed to develop leadership skills and motivational training at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, a US Embassy press release said.
Mr. James Moore, the U.S. Embassy's Deputy Chief of Missions, while presenting the documents to the selected cadets, said that the appointments “signify the close training relationship between our two militaries.”
Mr. Moore presented the documents to Viludani Yatawara - the first Sri Lankan woman cadet officer to get selected to the program - and to Chamara Wijesinghe.
“The United States Air Force Academy offers a four-year program of instruction and experience designed to provide cadets the knowledge essential for leadership and the motivation to serve as Air Force career officers,” the press release said.
“Each cadet graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a Pilot Officer in the Air Force.”
“Cadets Yatawara and Wijesinghe were nominated by the SLAF after several competitive interviews and a physical aptitude examinations,” it added.
Their applications were subsequently forwarded to the US Air Force Academy by the U.S. Embassy.
“The two Sri Lankans competed against eligible candidates from 29 other countries for a limited number of seats allocated for international applicants,” the press release noted.
“As a result, the Sri Lanka Air Force will now have three cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy; one officer gained admission last year. In addition, Sri Lanka presently has two cadets at U.S. Military Academy at West Point,” the press release said.
Yatawara thanked the U.S. Government for offering her the rare opportunity, while Wijesinghe said that he was happy and proud to have been selected for this prestigious and competitive program.
