SLAF Katunayake (RAF Negombo)

SLAF Katunayake is a Sri Lanka Air Force base located in Katunayake, Western Province, 32.5 kilometers north of Colombo, Sri Lanka, adjoining Bandaranaike International Airport.

The installation was established in 1944 during the Second World War as Royal Air Force station RAF Negombo. Under British control, it hosted No. 45 Squadron RAF, No. 232 Squadron RAF, No. 249 Squadron RAF, and No. 1303 Flight RAF. In 1957, British forces departed, and the airfield was transferred to the Royal Ceylon Air Force and renamed RCAF Katunayake. A portion of the base was repurposed in the 1960s to build the adjacent international airport, while military facilities were retained and expanded. In May 2007, military aviation operations in the area immediately adjoining the civilian airport were relocated to SLAF Hingurakgoda to allow for civil expansion.

The installation is the largest Sri Lanka Air Force station and serves as the administrative headquarters for SLAF Southern Air Command. The base hosts fixed-wing flying units, including No. 2 Heavy Transport Squadron, No. 5 Fighter Squadron, and No. 10 Fighter Squadron. Air defense is supported by No. 1 Air Defence Radar Squadron. Other ground and security formations stationed at the base include No. 26 Regiment Wing, No. 43 Colour Wing, and No. 48 Air Dog Unit.

Base infrastructure includes the Air Force Hospital and the Air Force Dental Hospital. Logistics, technical, and maintenance facilities on-site include No. 1 Supply and Maintenance Depot, the Aircraft Spares Depot, the Aircraft Engineering Wing, the General Engineering Wing, the Aircraft Overhaul Wing, the Armament Repair and Overhaul Wing, the Radar Maintenance Wing, the Electronics and Telecommunication Wing, and the Research and Development Wing.