Just three days after assumption of duties, the new Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal K.A Gunatilleke Monday (3) afternoon paid a courtesy call on his Army counterpart, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake at Army Headquarters.
Military honours, including a Guard Turnout plus a Guard of Honour greeted the visiting guest on arrival at the Army Headquarters parade ground. After he was received by the Commanding Officer of the Headquarters Battalion, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General, conducted him to the dais to receive the salute.
The visiting Air Chief was afterwards introduced to the Principal Staff Officers by Major General Amal Karunasekara, Military Secretary at the entrance to the Commander’s Secretariat.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army extending a cordial welcome to the new Air Force Chief, exchanged views on matters of bilateral significance to both organizations.
Lieutenant General Ratnayake, recalling memories spoke high of new Air Chief’s achievements during the humanitarian operations which supported the ground troops in turn and the evolution of the Sri Lanka Air Force as a formidable wing to be reckoned with.
The cordial meeting culminated with assurances that both would work for the greater good of the country and all ranks at large. Before his exit, the new Air Force Chief left his signature at the VIP book in the Commander’s Office.
Exchange of mementos took place as a formal tradition before the new Air Force Chief left the premises. Earlier the new Air Force Commander paid courtesy calls on Malwatte and Asgiriya prelates, Incumbent, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, HE the President, Secretary Defence and Urban Development.
Air Marshal Gunatilleke joined the SLAF in 1980 as an Officer Cadet of the 8th Intake. He graduated from the Air Force Academy, China Bay, and was commissioned a Pilot Officer in April 1982. He was awarded his flying brevet on successful completion of his basic and advanced flying training.
His first tour of duty was with No 2 Transport Squadron where he gained proficiency on the DC 3s, the Riley Herons, and the Avros. It was there that he was picked to become a Flying Instructor. He underwent Flying Instructor Training with the Pakistan Air Force and became a Qualified Flying Instructor.
As a transport pilot, he has flown Antonov An 32b, HS-748 Avros, Y-8s, Y-12s, DC -3s and Riley Herons.
As a flying instructor, Air Marshal Gunatilleke has taught many a pilot in the Chipmunk, Cessna 150, Dove, the Cessna 337, Riley Heron Avro, SF 260 TP Pucara, Y-12 as well as the Beachcraft B-200T.
Flying the SF 260 TP and the IA 58 Pucara, Air Marshal Gunatilleke saw extensive action and participated actively in the support of all ground operations against the LTTE. His conspicuous gallantry earned him the Rana Wickrama Padakkama and the Rana Sura Padakkama.
He has accumulated over 4000 hours of flying in his roles as a transport pilot, an attack pilot and as an instructor. He possesses a VVIP, Master Green Instrument Rating. He has also held the appointment of the Command Instrument Rating Examiner.
Air Marshal Gunatilleke’s professional development included training at many overseas training institutions. Notable among them are the Command and Staff College, Pakistan, Joint Air Warfare College in India, Air Command and Staff College in Alabama, USA and National Defence College in Pakistan. He participated in the Executive Course of the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Hawaii. Air Marshal Gunatilleke had the distinction of being a member of the first batch to be conferred with the Master of Science (Defence Studies) Degree in Management from the General Sir John Kotalawala Defence University.
During his career spanning over three decades, Air Marshal Gunatilleke has commanded No 1 Flying Training Wing and No 2 Transport Squadron. He served as the Staff Officer Operations at Air Force Headquarters. He completed a tenure as Base Commander SLAF China Bay. As Base Commander SLAF Katunayake, Air Marshal Gunatilleke was at the helm of the largest of the SLAF’s bases.
He was appointed to Air Force Headquarters as the Director Training in January 2008 and served in that capacity till he was called to take on the responsibility of the appointment of the Director Air Operations. In this capacity he was responsible for the direction of all air operations during the critical latter stages of the Humanitarian Operation, during which the SLAF broke all records in numbers of sorties flown, in the attack, surveillance, CASEVAC and transport roles.
His service decorations and medals include the Vadamarachchi Medal(1989), Armed Service Long Service Medal(1994), Riviresa Campaign Service Medal(1999), North & East Operation Medal(2000), SLAF 50th Anniversary(2001), Utthama Seva Padakkama(2003), Armed Service Long Service Clasp (2003), North & East Humanitarian Medal(2011), and the Vishishta Seva Vibushanaya(2011)
An Avid Sportsman, Air Marshal Gunatilleke had the distinction of being a member of the Badminton National Pool. He has continued his involvement in sports in the sphere of sports administration as well having held appointments such as President National Rifle Association of Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2009, the Chairman Selection Committee -Badminton in 2010. He serves as the present Chairman of the National Selection Committee.
Military honours, including a Guard Turnout plus a Guard of Honour greeted the visiting guest on arrival at the Army Headquarters parade ground. After he was received by the Commanding Officer of the Headquarters Battalion, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General, conducted him to the dais to receive the salute.
The visiting Air Chief was afterwards introduced to the Principal Staff Officers by Major General Amal Karunasekara, Military Secretary at the entrance to the Commander’s Secretariat.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army extending a cordial welcome to the new Air Force Chief, exchanged views on matters of bilateral significance to both organizations.
Lieutenant General Ratnayake, recalling memories spoke high of new Air Chief’s achievements during the humanitarian operations which supported the ground troops in turn and the evolution of the Sri Lanka Air Force as a formidable wing to be reckoned with.
The cordial meeting culminated with assurances that both would work for the greater good of the country and all ranks at large. Before his exit, the new Air Force Chief left his signature at the VIP book in the Commander’s Office.
Exchange of mementos took place as a formal tradition before the new Air Force Chief left the premises. Earlier the new Air Force Commander paid courtesy calls on Malwatte and Asgiriya prelates, Incumbent, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, HE the President, Secretary Defence and Urban Development.
Air Marshal Gunatilleke joined the SLAF in 1980 as an Officer Cadet of the 8th Intake. He graduated from the Air Force Academy, China Bay, and was commissioned a Pilot Officer in April 1982. He was awarded his flying brevet on successful completion of his basic and advanced flying training.
His first tour of duty was with No 2 Transport Squadron where he gained proficiency on the DC 3s, the Riley Herons, and the Avros. It was there that he was picked to become a Flying Instructor. He underwent Flying Instructor Training with the Pakistan Air Force and became a Qualified Flying Instructor.
As a transport pilot, he has flown Antonov An 32b, HS-748 Avros, Y-8s, Y-12s, DC -3s and Riley Herons.
As a flying instructor, Air Marshal Gunatilleke has taught many a pilot in the Chipmunk, Cessna 150, Dove, the Cessna 337, Riley Heron Avro, SF 260 TP Pucara, Y-12 as well as the Beachcraft B-200T.
Flying the SF 260 TP and the IA 58 Pucara, Air Marshal Gunatilleke saw extensive action and participated actively in the support of all ground operations against the LTTE. His conspicuous gallantry earned him the Rana Wickrama Padakkama and the Rana Sura Padakkama.
He has accumulated over 4000 hours of flying in his roles as a transport pilot, an attack pilot and as an instructor. He possesses a VVIP, Master Green Instrument Rating. He has also held the appointment of the Command Instrument Rating Examiner.
Air Marshal Gunatilleke’s professional development included training at many overseas training institutions. Notable among them are the Command and Staff College, Pakistan, Joint Air Warfare College in India, Air Command and Staff College in Alabama, USA and National Defence College in Pakistan. He participated in the Executive Course of the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Hawaii. Air Marshal Gunatilleke had the distinction of being a member of the first batch to be conferred with the Master of Science (Defence Studies) Degree in Management from the General Sir John Kotalawala Defence University.
During his career spanning over three decades, Air Marshal Gunatilleke has commanded No 1 Flying Training Wing and No 2 Transport Squadron. He served as the Staff Officer Operations at Air Force Headquarters. He completed a tenure as Base Commander SLAF China Bay. As Base Commander SLAF Katunayake, Air Marshal Gunatilleke was at the helm of the largest of the SLAF’s bases.
He was appointed to Air Force Headquarters as the Director Training in January 2008 and served in that capacity till he was called to take on the responsibility of the appointment of the Director Air Operations. In this capacity he was responsible for the direction of all air operations during the critical latter stages of the Humanitarian Operation, during which the SLAF broke all records in numbers of sorties flown, in the attack, surveillance, CASEVAC and transport roles.
His service decorations and medals include the Vadamarachchi Medal(1989), Armed Service Long Service Medal(1994), Riviresa Campaign Service Medal(1999), North & East Operation Medal(2000), SLAF 50th Anniversary(2001), Utthama Seva Padakkama(2003), Armed Service Long Service Clasp (2003), North & East Humanitarian Medal(2011), and the Vishishta Seva Vibushanaya(2011)
An Avid Sportsman, Air Marshal Gunatilleke had the distinction of being a member of the Badminton National Pool. He has continued his involvement in sports in the sphere of sports administration as well having held appointments such as President National Rifle Association of Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2009, the Chairman Selection Committee -Badminton in 2010. He serves as the present Chairman of the National Selection Committee.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
