Commander of the 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

Air Marshal

Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...

Harsha Abeywickrama

Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, qfi, SLAF is a Sri Lankan fighter pilot and the current Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force.-Education :Educated at Royal College Colombo where he excelled both in studies and in sports...

since 2011. It is a position comparable to that of Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...

.

In the recent past all serving air force commanders have been of the rank of Air Marshal

Air Marshal

Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...

, promoted to the Honorary rank of Air Chief Marshal

Air Chief Marshal

Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...

when retiring or Promoted to Chief of Defence Staff

Chief of the Defence Staff (Sri Lanka)

The Chief of the Defence Staff is the highest ranking military officer in the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. The Chairman outranks all respective heads of each service branch but does not have operational command authority over them or their service branches, however overseas inter service corporations...

(CDS).

His deputy is the Chief of Staff of the air force.

Commander of the Air Force, 1951–present

No.	Rank	Name	Appointment	Left Office	Unit	Decorations
1	Air Commodore Air Commodore Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...	Graham Bladon Graham Bladon Air Commodore Graham Clarke Bladon CB CBE RAF was a Royal Air Force officer who served during the first half of the 20th century....	May 05, 1950	October 24, 1958		CBE CBE CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
2	Air Vice Marshal	John Barker John Barker (RAF officer) Air Vice Marshal John Lindsay Barker CB, CBE, DFC, RAF was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force during World War II and the following years. He was the second Commander of the Royal Ceylon Air Force during the early 1960s....	October 24, 1958	November 12, 1962		CB Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath... , CBE Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions... , DFC Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
3	Air Vice Marshal	Edward Amerasakera Edward Amerasakera Air Vice-Marshal Ekanayake Edward Rohan Amerasekera DFC & BAR, RCyAF third Commander of the Royal Ceylon Air Force and World War II Royal Air Force Navigator.-Early life and education:...	November 12, 1962	December 31, 1970	No. 2 Squadron SLAF No. 2 Squadron SLAF No. 2 "Heavy Transport" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the C-130 Hercules and Antonov 32 from SLAF Ratmalana.-History:...	DFC Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against... & BAR
4	Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...	Deshamanya Deshamanya Deshamanya is the second highest Sri Lankan national honour awarded by the Government of Sri Lanka as a civil honour.It is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the awardee's name.... Paddy Mendis Paddy Mendis Air Chief Marshal Deshamanya Paddy Mendis MBIM, idc, psc, SLAF was the fourth Commander of the Royal Ceylon Air Force from 1971 to 1976.-Early life and education:...	January 01, 1971	November 01, 1976	No. 2 Squadron SLAF No. 2 Squadron SLAF No. 2 "Heavy Transport" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the C-130 Hercules and Antonov 32 from SLAF Ratmalana.-History:... No. 5 Squadron SLAF No. 5 Squadron SLAF No. 5 "Jet" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates in both air defence and ground attack role with F-7 Skybolts from SLAF Katunayake.-History:...
5	Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...	Harry Goonatilake Harry Goonatilake Air Chief Marshal W.D. Harry Goonetileke USP, ndc, psc, SLAF was the fifth Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force from November 1, 1976 to April 30, 1981.-Early life:...	November 01, 1976	April 30, 1981	No. 2 Squadron SLAF No. 2 Squadron SLAF No. 2 "Heavy Transport" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the C-130 Hercules and Antonov 32 from SLAF Ratmalana.-History:...	USP Uttama Seva Padakkama The Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess...
6	Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...	Dick Perera	May 01, 1981	April 30, 1985		VSV Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya The Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan senior military officers of three services, given that their loyal service is of not less than 25 years and possess a perfectly flawless record of moral and military conduct, will be appropriate for the award...
7	Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...	Andibuduge Fernando	May 01, 1985	July 31, 1990		VSV Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya The Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan senior military officers of three services, given that their loyal service is of not less than 25 years and possess a perfectly flawless record of moral and military conduct, will be appropriate for the award...
8	Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...	Makalandage Gunawardena	August 01, 1990	February 16, 1994		VSV Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya The Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan senior military officers of three services, given that their loyal service is of not less than 25 years and possess a perfectly flawless record of moral and military conduct, will be appropriate for the award...
9	Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...	Oliver Ranasinghe	February 17, 1994	March 05, 1998	No. 4 Squadron SLAF No. 4 Squadron SLAF No. 4 Helicopter Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates Bell 412s from SLAF Katunayake for VIP Air transport.-History:...	VSV Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya The Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan senior military officers of three services, given that their loyal service is of not less than 25 years and possess a perfectly flawless record of moral and military conduct, will be appropriate for the award... , USP Uttama Seva Padakkama The Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess...
10	Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...	Jayalath Weerakkody Jayalath Weerakkody Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody RWP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, SLAF is a retired Sri Lanka Air Force air officer who served as commander of the Air Force from 1998 to 2002....	March 06, 1998	July 15, 2002	No. 2 Squadron SLAF No. 2 Squadron SLAF No. 2 "Heavy Transport" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the C-130 Hercules and Antonov 32 from SLAF Ratmalana.-History:... No. 4 Squadron SLAF No. 4 Squadron SLAF No. 4 Helicopter Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates Bell 412s from SLAF Katunayake for VIP Air transport.-History:...	RWP Rana Wickrama Padakkama The Rana Wickrama Padakkama medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan military officers and other ranks as a reward for individual or allied acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord.-How medal awarded:It is ordained that the decoration shall be granted to all ranks of... , VSV Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya The Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan senior military officers of three services, given that their loyal service is of not less than 25 years and possess a perfectly flawless record of moral and military conduct, will be appropriate for the award... , USP Uttama Seva Padakkama The Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess...
11	Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...	Donald Perera	July 16, 2002	June 11, 2006	No. 2 Squadron SLAF No. 2 Squadron SLAF No. 2 "Heavy Transport" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the C-130 Hercules and Antonov 32 from SLAF Ratmalana.-History:...	VSV Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya The Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan senior military officers of three services, given that their loyal service is of not less than 25 years and possess a perfectly flawless record of moral and military conduct, will be appropriate for the award... , USP Uttama Seva Padakkama The Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess...
12	Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...	Roshan Goonatilake Roshan Goonatilake Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilleke, RWP & BAR, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, SLAF was the Commander of the Air Force and is the Chief of the Defence Staff of Sri Lanka. Air Chief Marshal Goonetilleke has served in the Sri Lankan Air Force for more than 33 years...	June 12, 2006	February 27, 2011	No. 4 Squadron SLAF No. 4 Squadron SLAF No. 4 Helicopter Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates Bell 412s from SLAF Katunayake for VIP Air transport.-History:...	RWP Rana Wickrama Padakkama The Rana Wickrama Padakkama medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan military officers and other ranks as a reward for individual or allied acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord.-How medal awarded:It is ordained that the decoration shall be granted to all ranks of... & BAR, VSV Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya The Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan senior military officers of three services, given that their loyal service is of not less than 25 years and possess a perfectly flawless record of moral and military conduct, will be appropriate for the award... , USP Uttama Seva Padakkama The Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess...
13	Air Marshal Air Marshal Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...	Harsha Duminda Abeywickrama Harsha Abeywickrama Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, qfi, SLAF is a Sri Lankan fighter pilot and the current Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force.-Education :Educated at Royal College Colombo where he excelled both in studies and in sports...	February 28, 2011	Present	No. 5 Squadron SLAF No. 5 Squadron SLAF No. 5 "Jet" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates in both air defence and ground attack role with F-7 Skybolts from SLAF Katunayake.-History:...	RWP Rana Wickrama Padakkama The Rana Wickrama Padakkama medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan military officers and other ranks as a reward for individual or allied acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord.-How medal awarded:It is ordained that the decoration shall be granted to all ranks of... , RSP Rana Sura Padakkama The Rana Sura Padakkama is a medal presented to members of all ranks of the Military of Sri Lanka for individual and/or associated acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord. The decoration is presented by the President of Sri Lanka... , USP Uttama Seva Padakkama The Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess...

Trivia

The former air force commander Air Chief Marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...

Roshan Goonatilake
Roshan Goonatilake
Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilleke, RWP & BAR, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, SLAF was the Commander of the Air Force and is the Chief of the Defence Staff of Sri Lanka. Air Chief Marshal Goonetilleke has served in the Sri Lankan Air Force for more than 33 years...

is the son of the 5th Commander of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...

Harry Goonatilake
Harry Goonatilake
Air Chief Marshal W.D. Harry Goonetileke USP, ndc, psc, SLAF was the fifth Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force from November 1, 1976 to April 30, 1981.-Early life:...

.

Commander of the Air Force, 1951–present

Trivia

See also