Investiture of Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke with the rank of Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force
2:34pm on Thursday 19th September 2019
Today, the 19th of September 2019, is set to become another significant milestone in the history of the Sri Lanka Air Force with the investiture of Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke to the rank of Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force by the President and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena.
The colourful Investiture was held at the “Eastern Container Terminal” of the Colombo Harbor amidst a large gathering of dignitaries, Tri Service Officers and Other Ranks, where the former Commander of the Navy, Admiral WKI Karannagoda was also promoted to the five star rank of Admiral of the Fleet.
This special non-retiring rank of Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force is on par with the status of a Cabinet Minister. This highest rank awarded in the tri-services of a country is uniquely signified by five stars and is an honorary military rank. The Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force is expected to bear a special baton in the left hand in symbolizing his status. A Marshal of the Air Force salutes only the President or the King of a country.
The proceedings commenced with the arrival of the two former Commanders of the Navy and Air Force, Admiral WKI Karannagoda and Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke. After which, two short documentaries about the military lives of the two awardees were screened.
Thereafter, the President and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena arrived and was accorded a Tri Service salute by the Guard of Honor.
Admiral WKI Karannagoda and Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke took up their respective positions before the special citations were read out by the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne. Admiral WKI Karannagoda and Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke in turn marched up to the dais, where each was presented with the special batons symbolizing the ranks of Admiral of the Fleet and the Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force respectively. The two flags of the Admiral of the Fleet and the Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force were then officially unveiled.
With the departure of His Excellency the President from the dais the parade came to an end and the newly promoted Admiral of the Fleet WKI Karannagoda and Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force WDRMJ Goonetileke received best wishes from their family and well wishers who were fortunate to witness this historic event today.
The day’s events came to an end with the Admiral of the Fleet WKI Karannagoda and Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force WDRMJ Goonetileke, departed flanked by a street line made up of Navy and Air Force personnel.
The colourful Investiture was held at the “Eastern Container Terminal” of the Colombo Harbor amidst a large gathering of dignitaries, Tri Service Officers and Other Ranks, where the former Commander of the Navy, Admiral WKI Karannagoda was also promoted to the five star rank of Admiral of the Fleet.
This special non-retiring rank of Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force is on par with the status of a Cabinet Minister. This highest rank awarded in the tri-services of a country is uniquely signified by five stars and is an honorary military rank. The Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force is expected to bear a special baton in the left hand in symbolizing his status. A Marshal of the Air Force salutes only the President or the King of a country.
The proceedings commenced with the arrival of the two former Commanders of the Navy and Air Force, Admiral WKI Karannagoda and Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke. After which, two short documentaries about the military lives of the two awardees were screened.
Thereafter, the President and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena arrived and was accorded a Tri Service salute by the Guard of Honor.
Admiral WKI Karannagoda and Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke took up their respective positions before the special citations were read out by the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne. Admiral WKI Karannagoda and Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke in turn marched up to the dais, where each was presented with the special batons symbolizing the ranks of Admiral of the Fleet and the Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force respectively. The two flags of the Admiral of the Fleet and the Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force were then officially unveiled.
With the departure of His Excellency the President from the dais the parade came to an end and the newly promoted Admiral of the Fleet WKI Karannagoda and Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force WDRMJ Goonetileke received best wishes from their family and well wishers who were fortunate to witness this historic event today.
The day’s events came to an end with the Admiral of the Fleet WKI Karannagoda and Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force WDRMJ Goonetileke, departed flanked by a street line made up of Navy and Air Force personnel.
