He relinquished command as the 13th Commander of the SLAF on 27th February 2014 and was promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal in recognition of his invaluable service to the Nation. He was subsequently appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff whilst continuing as the Director Air Operations in year 2008, and in year 2011 he was entrusted to overlook the duties of the Director Logistics in addition to his appointment as the Deputy Chief of Staff.With the flying operations under his command as the Director Operations, he revolutionized the operational doctrine of the SLAF. Air Chief Marshal Kapila Jayampathy. He holds the honour of being the first Sri Lankan pilot to fly supersonic. All rights reserved. • 1987 - Commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer Air Chief Marshal Dias took over as the 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force on 29 May 2019 and is scheduled to relinquish his command on 2 November 2020 at Air Force Headquarters. Being the first Commanding Officer of this Squadron, he inculcated a culture unique to the fighter jet pilots, commanding respect from all quarters of the SLAF. He commanded No 5 Fighter and subsequently No 10 Fighter Squadrons flying the Kfir C 2 / C 7 extensively. During his illustrious career of 28 years, he has held a number of appointments in command, operational and administrative spheres. • Graduate – Asia Pacific Strategic Studies, Hawaii, USA, Decorations and Awards • 1989 - Operational pilot – No 2 Transport Wing The current Governor of the Western Province, Goonetileke had served as the Chief of the Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force. Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilleke who was appointed as the 12th Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force on June 12, 2006 retired from his post on February 27, 2011. • 50th Independence celebration medal In relation to the SLAF; significant changes in the management structure were implemented to increase managerial efficiency as well as promote in-house talent. He joined the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) with the 8th Intake of Officer Cadets in 1980 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1982.At the inception of his career in the early 1980s, combat flying was non-existent due to the relatively peaceful situation of Sri Lanka and the only active flying Squadrons were the fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. • 2015 - Base Commander, SLAF Base Ratmalana When the separatist conflict emerged in the mid 1980s, the SLAF went into battle with the available fleet of aircraft. • Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary medal Nick Wilson, Pacific Air Force Public Affairs / Published December 30, 2020 PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 1 • Uttama Seva Padakkama Air Marshal Pathirana is an avid golfer and also served as the Chairman of SLAF Golf having previously served as the Chairman SLAF Athletics. He is the elder son of the 5th Commander of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Harry Goonetileke. For his gallant and selfless contribution during the humanitarian operations Air Marshal Pathirana has awarded with gallantry medals on 8 occasions. • 1987 - Operational pilot – No 3 Maritime Squadron He was a member of the first batch of pilots who were selected for advance flying training in the Pakistan Air Force and secured the award for the Best Allied Flight Cadet by the Pakistan Air Force. The entire project was carried out by the SLAF Engineers and was the second runway to be commissioned in post-war Sri Lanka. He is married to Neelika, an Attorney-at-Law, and they have one Son Kasun, who is reading for a Masters Degree in International Public Relations & Global Communication Management.Air  Chief Marshal Abeywickrama is a devoted Buddhist. Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters, Colombo. He was appointed to the Air Force Board of Management in 2017 as the Director Air Operations prior to being appointed as the Commander, he served as the Chief of Staff from 2019 onwards. Air Chief Marshal Goonetileke joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the General Duties Pilot Branch on 13 January 1978 and was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on 24 August 1979. Born on 30th December 1965, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana is a proud product of Dharmaraja College Kandy. His gallant and selfless contribution during the separatist conflict has earned him the prestigious “Rana Wickrama Padakkama (Combat Gallantry Medal)” twice and the “Rana Sura Padakkama (Combat Excellence Medal)”. 30 October 2020 Air Vice Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana has been appointed as the new Air Force Commander. U.S. Air Force active duty and civilian Airmen pose for a photo alongside Sri Lanka Air Force Airmen during the first virtual and fourth annual Airmen-to-Airmen Talk, or A2AT, hosted from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Dec. 15. 30 October 2020 10:18 am. • Graduate – Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB Alabama, USA Marshal of the Air Force W. D. M. J. Roshan Goonetileke, RWP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc is a senior officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force. As a sequel to these projects, the ‘Heli-Tours’ was re-launched in a more professional manner with the induction MA-60 aircraft and Mi-17 Helicopters together with the upgrading of some of the available aircraft to commercial status resulting in the SLAF taking the prime position in domestic air travel of Sri Lanka. He joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on the 2nd of July 1985. • Diploma in Air Field Management, University of Ukraine Administrative Branch – Administrative Officers and associated trades are involved with training management, physical education, catering, infrastructure management, accounts, dress and discipline, personnel and recruitment. Air Marshal Pathirana’s long journey in golf began back in the year 2011 when he was serving as the Commandant of Sri Lanka Air Force Academy in China Bay. Accordingly Sudarshana Pathirana will be promoted to Air Marshall and assume duties as the new Commander of the Air Force. Air Marshal Pathirana later went on to command three Air Bases, which includes a tenure as the Commandant of the Air Force Academy. It is a position comparable to that of Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force.The Chief of Staff of the Air Force acts as a deputy commander within the command structure. • MSc (Management) – Merit pass and First in order of Merit – General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Goonetileke joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the General … Meanwhile, the President has promoted former Air Force Commander, Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy, who retired from his post to the four- star rank of Air Chief Marshal. Career timeline – Subsequently, he was entrusted with the responsibility of selecting a more suitable fighter Jet for the SLAF to upgrade the fleet. In addition to Kfir and F-7 fighters he is qualified in over 10 types of aircraft earning him over 3,500 flying hours. Air chief Marshal Harsha Duminda Abeywickrama was born on 28 November 1960. • 2007 - Counsellor (Defence) – Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation Air Chief Marshal Abeywickrama has an admirable record in active combat, and spent most of his career in operational command appointments in the North and East including those of Commanding Officer of the No 5 Jet Squadron, Commandant of the prestigious No 1 Flying Training Wing, Commanding Officer of Sri Lanka Air Force Palaly, Base Commander of Air Force Bases China Bay, Anuradhapura & Rathmalana and Zonal Commander East. General Duties Pilot Branch – Pilots and Navigators(commissioned officers) 2. • Flying Examiner - Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka The Commander of the Air Force is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Air Force.The current Commander of the Air Force is Air Marshal Sumangala Dias. Having joined the SLAF as an Officer Cadet on 2nd July 1985, he completed his Basic Ground Training at Diyatalawa, securing the award for the Best Cadet of the 14th Officer Cadets Course. The 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias ceremonially handed over command of the Sri Lanka Air Force to Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, this morning (2nd November 2020) at AFHQ. • 2009 - Deputy Military Liaison Officer – Ministry of Defence Due to exceptional flying capabilities, he trained as a Qualified Flying Instructor in the very early years of his career.The escalation of the separatist conflict in the late 1980’s highlighted the importance of fighter jets. > … KAPILA VEEDIYA BANDARA JAYAMPATHY (KAPILA JAYAMPATHY) joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 05th March 1982 as an Officer Cadet in the General Duties Pilot Branch in the 10th Officer Cadet intake. In addition, he holds a Commercial Pilots License and is a Flying Examiner for the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka. At the inception of his career in the early 1980s, combat flying was non-existent due to the relatively peaceful situation of Sri Lanka and the only active flying Squadrons were the fixed-wing and … This was a challenge for the pilots of the SLAF and as a young Officer, he was one of the foremost Pilots who took flight into such combat operations. • North Humanitarian medal and clasp He completed his education at St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya where he excelled both in studies and in sports. • Videsha Seva Padakkama It is equivalent to Admiral of … Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force WDRMJ Goonetileke was born on 28 February 1956. Pathirana, born on 30th December 1965 is a product of Dharmaraja College Kandy. In recognition of his unblemished and distinguished service, Air Marshal Pathirana has been awarded with the “Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya” and the “Uttama Seva Padakkama”. He was appointed as the 18th Commander of the Air Force by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday (30). President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has appointed Air Vice Marshal Sudharshana Pathirana as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Notable out of them, was the opening of, the ‘Eagles’ Golf Links’ and the ‘Eagles’ Heritage Golf Club’ at China-bay and Anuradhapura respectively, being the fourth and fifth Golf Courses in Sri Lanka and conducting the ‘Commanders’ Cup’ Open Golf Tournament. Sgt. Mon, Apr 27, 2020, 08:18 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka. Field Marshal (FM) is a five-star General officer rank and the highest attainable rank in the Sri Lanka Army. After being promoted to the three star rank of Air Marshal by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces with effect from yesterday (02 November 2020) today marks the first day of taking over official duties. • Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal and clasp His philosophy of personal leadership is radiated amongst those commanding the various elements of the SLAF providing the necessary guidance and support to meet their goals for the wellbeing of the organization.Air  Chief Marshal Abeywickrama is a graduate of the Air Command & Staff College at Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, USA and the Royal College of Defence Studies, London, UK. Pathirana, born on 30th December 1965 is a product of Dharmaraja College Kandy. The Commander of the Air Force exercises operational and administrative control of the air force from Air Force Headquarters, SLAF Colombo . Initially commencing his career in the Sri Lanka Air Force as a Reconnaissance pilot, he subsequently transited to Light Transport flying prior to moving into fast jets as a member of the first batch of pilots to fly supersonic aircraft in Sri Lanka. Field Marshal is ranked immediately above General and is largely a ceremonial rank, having been awarded only once, to Sarath Fonseka. The appointment, made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will come into effect from the 2nd of November. • 2017 - Director Air Operations, Sri Lanka Air Force Air chief Marshal Harsha Duminda Abeywickrama was born on 28 November 1960. • 1985 - Enlisted as an Officer Cadet of 14th Intake of Officer Cadets © 2021 Sri Lanka Air Force Directorate of Information Technology . Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana took over command of the Sri Lanka Air Force today. He was appointed as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force on 27 February 2011 and was elevated to the rank of Air Marshal. Air Chief Marshal Dias took over as the 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force on 29 May 2019 and is scheduled to relinquish his command on 2 November 2020 at Air Force Headquarters. The most notable was the establishment of a Battle Management Centre integrating the UAV, RADAR and other airborne observation platforms providing real time intelligence and introducing new concepts of target acquisition commanded by Air Headquarters including target to weapon matching, resulting in changing the strategy of air attack and the rapid development of SLAF’s air defence capability. • 2012 - Commandant, Air Force Academy, China Bay 1. COLOMBO (News 1st) - President Maithripala Sirisena appointed Air Marshal Sumangala Dias as the new commander of the Sri Lanka Air force. Upon enlistment he followed the Basic Ground Combat course at Sri Lanka Air Force Diyathalawa before moving to Flying Training wing at Sri Lanka … He was appointed as the 18th Commander of the Air Force by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday (30). Having joined the SLAF as an Officer Cadet on 2nd July 1985, he completed his Basic Ground Training at Diyatalawa, securing the award for the Best Cadet of the 14th Officer Cadets Course. • Rana Wickrama Padakkama and bar Air Vice Marshal Sudarshana Karagoda Pathirana, born on 30th December 1965 is currently the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force and is a proud product of Dharmaraja College Kandy. He joined the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) with the 8th Intake of Officer Cadets in 1980 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1982. • All Purpose Flying Instructors’ Course, Flying Instructors School, IAF Tambram, India The outgoing Commander was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Colour Wing of the SLAF. Subsequently, he went on to log substantial hours flying transport aircraft and light attack aircraft in numerous combat operations. Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana took over as the 18th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), a short while ago, SLAF media unit said. He attended the National Defence College, New Delhi, India which earned him the distinguished title “ndc” and was awarded a Master in Philosophy from the University of Chennai in 2012. • 2019 - Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Air Force, Education / Qualifications / Distinctions 2 November 2020 Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana took over command of the Sri Lanka Air Force today. His interests include Music, Philosophy and a passion for Golf. Born on 30th December 1965, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana is a proud product of Dharmaraja College Kandy. Colombo (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed Air Vice Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana as the 18th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force with effect from the 02nd of November 2020. PACAF hosts first virtual Airmen-to-Airmen Talk with Sri Lanka Air Force By Tech. Namely, “Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya” twice, “Rana Wickrama Padakkama” twice and “Rana Sura Padakkama” on four occasions. He was also instrumental in establishing and heading the Air Wing of the Defence Services Command & Staff College.At the Air Force Headquarters, he was appointed to the Air Force Board of Management as the Director Operations in year 2006 and thereafter as the Director Air Operations. • Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya and bar • Best Allied Flight Cadet - Advanced Flying Training Course, PAF Academy, Risalpur, Pakistan • 1995 - OC Operations / Commanding Officer – No 10 Fighter Squadron A historical milestone for the Nation as well as the SLAF was reached, with the opening of the runway at SLAF Station Iranamadu. 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