Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath USP, MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, BSc (Def Stu) bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force today (16 June 2020) after completing more than 32 years of dedicated service to the nation.

On a concept brought forward by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force at his office. The Commander commended Air Vice Marshal Herath for the dedicated and distinguished service rendered to the Nation and the Sri Lanka Air Force in particular. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Herath exchanged mementos to mark this historical occasion. After which, Air Vice Marshal Herath was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the SLAF Colour Wing at Air Force Headquarters.

Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 21st of July 1987 with the 5th Intake of Officer Cadets at the Kotelawala Defence University. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on the 23rd of June 1989 in the Technical Signals Branch which is now the Electronic Engineering Branch. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering and a Master’s Degree (Defence Studies) in Management from the Kotelawala Defence University. He has undergone specialized trainings in various countries such as India, Pakistan, Singapore, Israel and Australia.

During his illustrious career in SLAF he has held many key appointments within the Electronics Engineering Branch such as Zonal Signals Officer at Eastern Zone, Base Signals Officer at Air Force Academy China Bay, Officer in Charge of Avionics at No 2 Heavy Transport Squadron, Commanding Officer of the Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Wing at SLAF Base Ratmalana, Staff Officers Electronics I, II and the Deputy Director of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering at the Directorate of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering before being appointed as the Director of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering on the 8th of July 2019.

During his distinguished military career of over 32 years, Air Vice Marshal Herath has been awarded with the Uttama Seva Padakkama, SLAF 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal and Clasp, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, East Humanitarian Operations Medal and Clasp, North Humanitarian Operations Medal, North & East Operational Medal and Clasp, Poorna Bhoomi Padakkama and the Riviresa Campaign Service Medal.

He has served as an aircrew member of the Y-8 transport aircraft and is the last serving Electronics Engineering Officer who proudly wears the Air Electronics Brevet.