 The newly established Dominion of Ceylon, under its first Prime Minister, D. S. Senanayake began establishing its armed forces.The need for an air force was identified in its defence policy and the Air Force Act was passed in parliament in 1951 in order to establish an air force for the new nation.As such the "Royal Ceylon Air Force" (RCyAF) was formed on 2 March 1951 with RAF officers and other personnel seconded to the RCyAF.