Air Vice Marshal RADTM WEERARATNE
WWV, RWP, RSP and three Bars, USP, MSc (Def & Strat Stu), MSc (Strat Stu), BSc (Def Stu), fndu (China), MIM (SL) fawc, psc
Air Vice Marshal Thushara Weeraratne is a distinguished senior officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), whose career spans over three decades of exemplary service marked by operational excellence, professional competence, and strategic leadership.
He began his early education at No. 01 Primary School, Piliyandala, and through the Grade Five Scholarship Examination secured admission to Nalanda College, Colombo 10, where he pursued his secondary education in the Physical Science stream. During his formative years, he demonstrated leadership and discipline as a senior prefect, an active member of the cadet platoon, and a talented athlete, qualities that would later shape his military career.
In 1994, he joined the Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy (KDA) as an Officer Cadet of Intake 12. During his training at KDA, he completed the academic phase in Management and Technical Sciences, and thereafter proceeded to the No. 1 Flying Training Wing at SLAF Base Anuradhapura for flying training. His basic flying training was conducted on the SF-260 Warrior aircraft, where his exceptional performance earned him the distinction of Best Flight Cadet of the 48th Flight Cadet Course. Upon completing his military and academic training, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Strategic and Defence Studies and was commissioned as a Flying Officer in the General Duties Pilot Branch.
Air Vice Marshal Weeraratne is one of the few SLAF pilots to have had the rare privilege of gaining hands-on experience across all three streams of aviation: fixed-wing, rotor-wing, and jet aircraft. Following his basic and advanced helicopter training on Bell 206 and Bell 212 helicopters, he dedicated the majority of his flying career to attack helicopter operations with the No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron, where he flew the Mi-24 gunship during the conflict against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). For his acts of gallantry, courage, and steadfastness in combat, he was decorated with six gallantry medals, including the Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya (WWV), the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), and the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) on four occasions. His combat experience and bravery under fire stand as a testament to his dedication to the defence of the nation.
Following his combat service, he was rated as a VIP pilot at the No. 4 Helicopter Squadron and served as Officer Commanding Operations of the squadron. He later expanded his professional horizons beyond military aviation by qualifying as a civil aviator, obtaining an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Helicopter) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka. His accident-free flying record throughout his career exemplifies his professionalism, meticulous discipline, and mastery of aviation.
In addition to his operational career, Air Vice Marshal Weeraratne has held several key command, staff, and instructional appointments. He began his command journey as the Commanding Officer of SLAF Unit Koggala while still a Squadron Leader, and subsequently commanded the No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron, the No. 7 Helicopter Squadron, and later the SLAF Academy, China Bay, where he shaped the next generation of the SLAF. In staff appointments, he served for nearly four years as Staff Officer Air Operations I at the Directorate of Air Operations, contributing significantly to the operational planning and execution of air operations. He also held the prestigious appointment of Director Air Intelligence at Air Force Headquarters, becoming the first officer of the General Duties Pilot Branch to serve in this capacity. His instructional contributions include his tenure as Directing Staff II at the Air Wing of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda, where he imparted his operational knowledge and experience to future commanders of the tri-services.
His professional military education is both extensive and international. He has completed the Junior Command and Staff Course at SLAF Academy China Bay, the Defence Services Command and Staff Course at the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Sapugaskanda, the Air War Course at the Air War College in Pakistan, and the Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the National Defence University in China. Complementing his military education, he has also achieved significant academic milestones, including a Master of Defence and Strategic Studies from the Kotelawala Defence University, a Master of Defence and Strategic Studies from the National Defence University in Pakistan, and a Master of National Security Policy from the Australian National University. These academic and professional achievements underscore his intellectual depth and strategic acumen in both military and national security affairs.
Air Vice Marshal Weeraratne is married to Mrs. Nirosha Dilhani, and together they are blessed with two daughters and a son. His career reflects not only a lifelong dedication to service and leadership in the SLAF but also a legacy of operational courage, strategic vision, and professional excellence.
