P.B. Premachandra
Encyclopedia
Air Vice Marshal P.B. Premachandra RWP
, RSP
, VSV
, USP
, ndc, psc, qfi, SLAF is the current Chief of Staff
of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Educated at S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia where he excelled both in studies and in sports, Premachandra joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet
in the General Duties Pilot Branch, May 25, 1979. After successful completion of Flying Training he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer
on July 9, 1981.
Premachandra graduated of the Air Command and Staff College
, Air University in 1996 and in 2004 he attended National Defence College
, New Delhi
. He has undergone a number of training Courses including Flight Safety Officers Course, and Junior Command and Staff Course, Pakistan, Strategic & Security Studies at both NESA Centre- National Defense University
, Washington and Asia Pacific Centre, Hawaii.
During his career he has commanded the No. 1 Flying Training Wing
, the No. 2 Transport Wing
and the No. 8 Light Transport Squadron
. He had served as the Director Training, Director Operations at Air Force Headquarters
, Commander - Northern Zonal Command, Air Operations Commander North and had been the Base Commander of SLAF Katunayake, SLAF Ratmalana and SLAF Anuradhapura. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Staff he was the Deputy Chief of Staff at SLAF Colombo
, Air Force Headquarters.
Air Vice Marshal Premachandra has been awarded the gallantry medals Rana Wickrama Padakkama
, Rana Sura Padakkama
, and Desha Putra Sammanaya
for individual acts of bravery, the service medals Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya
, Uttama Seva Padakkama
and Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
.
He is married to Vasuki and has two daughters, Bharathy & Pathanchali, and one son, Arjuna .
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...
, 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...
, ndc, psc, qfi, SLAF is the current Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Educated at S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia where he excelled both in studies and in sports, Premachandra joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet
Officer Cadet
Officer cadet is a rank held by military and merchant navy cadets during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries...
in the General Duties Pilot Branch, May 25, 1979. After successful completion of Flying Training he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
on July 9, 1981.
Premachandra graduated of the Air Command and Staff College
Air Command and Staff College
The Air Command and Staff College is located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and is the United States Air Force's intermediate professional military education school. It prepares field grade and equivalent officers of all U.S...
, Air University in 1996 and in 2004 he attended National Defence College
National Defence College, India
The National Defence College of India, located in New Delhi, is an institution of higher learning of the defence forces of India. The institution was inaugurated on 27 April 1960 and is the only military institution in the country that imparts knowledge on all aspects of national security and...
, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
. He has undergone a number of training Courses including Flight Safety Officers Course, and Junior Command and Staff Course, Pakistan, Strategic & Security Studies at both NESA Centre- National Defense University
National Defense University
The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the United States Department of Defense, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy. It is chartered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with Navy Vice Admiral...
, Washington and Asia Pacific Centre, Hawaii.
During his career he has commanded the No. 1 Flying Training Wing
No. 1 Wing SLAF
No. 1 Flying Training Wing currently based at SLAF China Bay, carries out basic pilot training of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Its the oldest flying formation in the SLAF.-History:...
, the No. 2 Transport Wing
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:...
and the No. 8 Light Transport Squadron
No. 8 Squadron SLAF
No. 8 "Light Transpor" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the Harbin Y-12 from SLAF Ratmalana. Its roles include light transport, reconnaissance and pilot training for twin engine aircraft.-History:...
. He had served as the Director Training, Director Operations at Air Force Headquarters
SLAF Colombo
SLAF Colombo is the Sri Lanka Air Force headquarters in Colombo. In this capacity it has the offices of the Commander of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, the Board of Management and Board of Directors of the Sri Lanka Air Force...
, Commander - Northern Zonal Command, Air Operations Commander North and had been the Base Commander of SLAF Katunayake, SLAF Ratmalana and SLAF Anuradhapura. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Staff he was the Deputy Chief of Staff at SLAF Colombo
SLAF Colombo
SLAF Colombo is the Sri Lanka Air Force headquarters in Colombo. In this capacity it has the offices of the Commander of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, the Board of Management and Board of Directors of the Sri Lanka Air Force...
, Air Force Headquarters.
Air Vice Marshal Premachandra has been awarded the gallantry medals Rana Wickrama Padakkama
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...
, Rana Sura Padakkama
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...
, and Desha Putra Sammanaya
Desha Putra Sammanaya
The Desha Putra Sammanaya is a Sri Lankan military decoration, equivalent to United States Purple Heart that awarded to those who are killed or wounded in combat.-Eligibility:...
for individual acts of bravery, the service medals Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya
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...
, Uttama Seva Padakkama
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...
and Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
The Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal shall be granted to All regular officers and other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, who complete 12 years continuous service and whose character and conduct have been irreproachable and who are recommended by their...
.
He is married to Vasuki and has two daughters, Bharathy & Pathanchali, and one son, Arjuna .