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Commander Of The Royal Ceylon Air Force (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 Sudarshana Pathirana. 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. All serving air force commanders have been of the rank of air marshal, promoted to the honorary rank of air chief marshal on retirement or on promotion to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). List of commanders See also * Sri Lanka Air Force * Commander of the Army * Commander of the Navy References {{Chief of the air force by country Sri Lanka Air Force Sri Lanka Air Force air marshals Air force appointments Air Force Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and offic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rohan Amerasekera
Air Vice-Marshal Ekanayake Edward Rohan Ameresekere, (21 May 1916 – 20 March 1974) was a senior officer in the Royal Ceylon Air Force. He served as the third Commander of the Royal Ceylon Air Force. He previously served he had served as a navigator in the Royal Air Force during World War II, before qualifying as a pilot in the newly formed Royal Ceylon Air Force. Early life and education Born in Kegalle, Ceylon on 21 May 1916, he was one of seven children born to Edward Henry Ekanayake Ameresekere and Joslina Ameresekere (née de Silva Samarasinghe Siriwardena). Orphaned at the age of four, he was brought up by his uncle and aunt, Victor and Eda de Silva Siriwardena and later lived with his eldest sister, Hyacinth and her husband, Ashley Peiris at 'Ash Court', Kegalle. He received his education at Wesley College, Colombo (1925–29), Kingswood College, Kandy (1929–32), St. Mary's College, Kegalle (1933–34) and at the Pembroke Academy (1935–39). Second World War ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gagan Bulathsinghala
Air Chief Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala (also known as Gagan Pulasthi Bulathsinghala) RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, MPhil (Def & Strat), MSc (Def Stud) in Mgt, FIM(SL) National Defence College, India, psc is a retired air officer and a former commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force. He has also held the position of Chief of the Air Staff and after his retirement on 12 September 2016, was appointed the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Afghanistan, a position he holds currently. Early life and education Gagan was born in Colombo on 12 September 1961. His father was Bulathsinghalage Percy Marcus Perera who was a lawyer and a former flight lieutenant in the Royal Ceylon Air Force. His mother was Dona Beatrice Perera. He received his entire education from Nalanda College, Colombo. While at school he did many extra curricular activities such as cadeting, ruby and being a member of many school societies. He was involved in publishing the college's monthly newspaper, ''Nalanda''. Some of his contempo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kolitha Gunathilake
Air Chief Marshal Kolitha Gunathilake, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, qfi is a Sri Lankan fighter pilot and a former Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force. Education Educated at S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela and Royal College Colombo, he joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the General Duties Pilot Branch. After successful completion of Flying Training he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. He holds a MSc (Defence Studies) in management from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. Gunathilake is a graduate of the Command and Staff College, Pakistan; Joint Air Warfare College of India; the Air Command and Staff College, Air University and the National Defense College. He has undergone a number of training courses and is a qualified flying instructor. SLAF career Gunatilleke joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet of the 8th Intake in the General Duties Pilot Branch in 1980. He graduated from the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Harsha Abeywickrama
Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, qfi (born 28 November 1960) is a senior Sri Lankan air force officer and fighter pilot, who served as the Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force from 2012 to 2014 and later went on to serve as the Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon. Early life and education Abeywickrema was born on 28 November 1960. He was educated at Royal College Colombo. He later gained a MA degree in International Studies from King's College London, and a MSc degree in Management from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. SLAF career Abeywickrema joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the General Duties Pilot Branch in 1980. After successful completion of Flying Training he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1982. In the early 1980's the Sri Lanka Air Force had only two air squadrons, a fixed wing squadron and a rotary wing squadron, its fighter aircraft had been retired. With the escalation of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Roshan Goonetileke
Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force W. D. M. J. Roshan Goonetileke, RWP and bar, VSV, USP, PhD (Hon), FIM (SL), ndc, psc is a senior officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force. 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. He was the 12th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) and is the eldest son of the 5th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Harry Goonatilake and the elder brother of Group Captain Shirantha Goonatilake, who was killed in action in 1995. He was the second serving service Commander to be appointed as Chief of Defence Staff whilst holding the office. Goonetileke is the most decorated officer in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force and is held in high esteem for the role he played in ending the almost three decade long civil war that tore down the country's economy and claimed thousands of lives. As a result, he was bestowed upon with the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Donald Perera
Air Chief Marshal G Donald Perera VSV, USP is a Sri Lanka air officer who served as commander of the Air Force from 2002 to 2006 and Chief of the Defence Staff from 2006 to 2009. He served as Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel. Early life and education Perera was educated at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. SLAF career Perera joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an officer cadet in the general duties pilot branch in the officer cadet intake 1 of the Air Force Academy, China Bay on 12 January 1972. On completing his flying training he was commissioned as a pilot officer on 19 October 1973. Serving as a squadron pilot in the No. 2 Squadron SLAF, he logged over 7,500 flying hours on transports. He served as the Commandant Flying Training Wing, Air Force Academy, China Bay; Commanding officer, the No. 2 Squadron; Base Commander, SLAF Katunayake and Zonal Commander - Western Zone; Base Commander, SLAF China Bay and Zonal Commander - Eastern Zone and Acting Director Operations. He ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jayalath Weerakkody
Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody, RWP, VSV, USP is a Sri Lanka air officer who served as commander of the Air Force from 1999 to 2002. He served as Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan. Early life and education Educated at Dharmashoka College, Ambalangoda, where he excelled in sports and swimming. SLAF career Weerakkody joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an officer cadet in the general duties pilot branch in the officer cadet intake 1 of the Air Force Academy, China Bay on 12 January 1972. Serving as a squadron pilot, he became a qualified flying instructor. He went on to command the No. 4 Squadron SLAF, No. 2 Squadron SLAF and SLAF Colombo. Weerakkody served as the Senior Air Staff Officer, Base Commander SLAF Anuradhapura, Northern Zonal Commander, Director Operations and Chief of Staff. He followed the Junior Commanders Course at the Air Force Administrative College, attended the Air Command and Staff College and the National Defence College, New Delhi. He ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oliver Ranasinghe
Air Chief Marshal Oliver Matthew Ranasinghe, RWP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc was the 9th Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force. Educated at Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya Ranasinghe joined the Royal Ceylon Air Force on 7 February 1968 as a Sergeant Pilot. He received his Basic Ground Combat training at RCyAF Diyatalawa where he won the trophy for the best marksman. He then went to the Flying Training School at RCyAF China Bay. He trained on de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunks, de Havilland DH.104 Doves and BAC Jet Provosts, gaining his wings in 1969. Having piloted both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft in the RCyAF, he went on to command the No. 4 Squadron and serve as Base Commander SLAF Anuradhapura. He had attended the Air Command and Staff College, the National Defence College, New Delhi and completed a Senior Management Course at Monterey, California. He was then appointed Director Operations and thereafter Chief of Staff. On 17 February 1994, he was appointed Commande ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Terry Gunawardena
Air Chief Marshal Makalandage Johnny Terrence "Terry" De Silva Gunawardena, VSV (-2014) was the 8th Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force. Educated at Wesley College, Colombo, Gunawardena joined the Royal Ceylon Air Force on 31 December 1959 and was commissioned a pilot officer in 1961. He served as a squadron pilot in both the No 1 Squadron and No. 2 Squadron. He was one of the first pilots qualified in fighter jets, flying BAC Jet Provosts and MiG-17s. He served as Commanding Officer, No 2 Squadron and Commandant, Air Force Academy, China Bay. He attended RAF Staff College, Bracknell and National Defence College, New Delhi. He was appointed Chief of Staff of the SLAF in March 1986. On 1 August 1991 he was appointed Commander of the Air Force and promoted to the rank of Air Marshal. He reintroduced fighter jets to the SLAF by acquiring F-7 Skybolts and increased its light attack capability by acquiring FMA IA 58 Pucarás. He added Mil Mi-17 heavy transport helicopters to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Walter Fernando
Air Chief Marshal Andibuduge Walter Fernando, VSV, ndc, psc was a senior Sri Lanka Air Force officer, who served as the 7th Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force and thereafter Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Defence. Air force career Educated at Maris Stella College, Negombo; he joined the Royal Ceylon Air Force as a cadet officer in the second batch of pilots in January 1953. Receiving pilot training in Ceylon, he was commissioned as a pilot officer and soon after under took a course on navigation and ground instruction with the RAF. On his return to Ceylon, he became one of the first helicopter pilots in the RCyAF and in 1958 became the Navigation Officer, RCyAF Katunayake. That year, Fernando accompanied several other pilots to UK to ferry by air two de Havilland Heron to Ceylon acquired for the RCyAF. In 1959, he was appointed Chief Ground Instructor, Flying Wing at RCyAF Katunayake. Thereafter he became the commanding officer, No 4 Flight and oversaw its expansio ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dick Perera
Air Chief Marshal Dick Cuthbert Perera VSV was the 6th Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force. Educated at St. Benedict's College, Colombo Perera joined the newly formed Royal Ceylon Air Force on 21 September 1951 in the first batch of locally trained officer cadets. Completing his flying training on de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunks and Boulton Paul Balliols, he gained gaining his wings from Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake. Attached to No. 2 Squadron as a pilot, he served as its commanding officer from 1964 to 1968. He served as officer commanding, Administrative Wing and Station Commander of SLAF Katunayake. Perera attended Air Command and Staff College and National Defence College, New Delhi. He became the first general duties (pilot) branch officer to be appointed Director Administration. Later he served as Director Operations and Chief of Staff. He was appointed Commander of the Air Force on 1 May 1981, having been promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal. 1983, saw a su ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
