SLAF Koggala (RAF Koggala)

SLAF Koggala is a Sri Lanka Air Force base and public airport located in the Galle District of Sri Lanka.

The facility was established in March 1942 as RAF Koggala, a Royal Air Force seaplane base built on Koggala Lake following the Japanese occupation of the Malay Peninsula. By late 1942, it expanded into the largest flying-boat base in the region. During the Second World War, the base accommodated Consolidated PBY Catalinas and Short Sunderlands operated by RAF Squadrons 202, 204, 205, and 230, as well as RCAF Squadron 413. On 4 April 1942, a Catalina from 413 Squadron operating from Koggala located Admiral Chuichi Nagumo's fleet off the coast of Ceylon. In June 1944, two Sunderlands from the base evacuated wounded Chindit personnel from Burma. Between March 1943 and July 1945, Koggala supported direct flights between Ceylon and Perth, Australia, using Catalinas, Consolidated B-24 Liberators, and Avro Lancastrians.

After World War II, the base was converted into a land-based airfield. Air Ceylon operated regular passenger services at the site using Douglas DC-3 Dakotas, Avro 748s, and Nord Aviation 262 aircraft until terminating operations in 1978.

SLAF Koggala is currently maintained by the Sri Lanka Air Force for military purposes and domestic aviation. Base infrastructure supports medium turboprop aircraft, including the Bombardier Dash 8 and ATR-72. Commercial domestic charter and scheduled flights operate from the facility, utilized by carriers including Air Senok, Cinnamon Air, FitsAir, and Helitours.