14th July 2023 00:17:46 Hours
Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa RSP and two Bars, VSV, USP, MSc (MOA) USA, MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, MA in IS&S (UK), BSc (Def Stu), MIM (SL), AMIE (SL), rcds, psc, the recently-appointed 19th Commander of the Air Force was welcomed this morning (13) to the Army HQ amid ceremonial honours when he arrived there to pay courtesies to the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu upon assumption of his new office.
As he entered the Army Headquarters, an elegant Guard Turnout greeted him in accordance with military traditions. A few minutes later, he was welcomed by Major General S.R.B Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc, Adjutant General of the Sri Lanka Army before he invited the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, to review the Guard of Honour parade, presented by Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment troops on his behalf.
At the foyer Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyange warmly welcomed the visiting new Commander of the Air Force and introduced all Army Principal Staff Officers and Senior Officers to the visiting Air Force Chief. To add memories, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa at the same time sat for several group photographs.
Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage and Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa at the Commander’s office afterwards had a formal meeting where both recalled the close ties of cooperation prevailing between the Army and the Air Force personnel in different spheres of duties and responsibilities and the excellent contribution made by Airmen towards the eradication of LTTE terrorism in the past.
Both of them also discussed matters of mutual concern to their organizations during this courtesy meeting that lasted for about half an hour. Towards the end of the meet, both of them exchanged mementoes to signify the importance of the day’s meeting.
Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa afterwards penned a few complimentary remarks in the Visitors’ Book at the Commander's office before he took leave of the Army Chief. Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa was appointed as the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force on 30 June 2023 by Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka.
He joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet on 6 October 1988, and after completing his basic military training at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy in Ratmalana in the 6th Officer Cadets' Intake, he was posted to the No. 1 Flying Training Wing, Sri Lanka Air Force Base at Anuradhapura for his basic flying training. After his basic and advanced flying training, he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer in the General Duties Pilots Branch on 5 October 1990.
In recognition of his gallant and selfless contributions during humanitarian operations, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa has been awarded the prestigious gallantry medal “Rana Sura Padakkama” on three occasions. Moreover, due to his exemplary and unblemished service, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa has been honoured with the “Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya” and the “Uttama Seva Padakkama” medals.
