COMMANDER OF THE AIR FORCE EXPRESSES SYMPATHIES ON THE DEMISE OF AIR CHIEF MARSHAL PH MENDIS (RETD)
6:02pm on Tuesday 18th January 2022
Former Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Chief Marshal PH Mendis (Retd) FBIM, idc, psc, qfi passed away this morning (18 January 2022) and the remain lie at the Mahinda Funeral Parlor, No.591, Gall Road, Mount Lavinia. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana and all members of Air Force express the deepest sympathies on the demise of 1st Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Chief Marshal PH Mendis (Retd).
Air Chief Marshal Pathman Hariprasadha Mendis (Retd) popularly known as “Paddy Mendis” was born on the 24th of January 1933. He joined the newly formed Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) as its fifth recruit on the 8th of August 1951. After enlistment, then Officer Cadet Mendis was sent to Britain for training at the prestigious Royal Air Force College in Cranwell. In 1959, then Flight Lieutenant Mendis was sent to the RAF Central Flying School to be trained as Flying Instructors at RAF Little Rissington in Gloucestershire. He was the first Ceylonese to be trained as a Qualified Flying Instructor.
Air Chief Marshal Mendis made steady progression through the ranks of Pilot Officer to Air Commodore and was appointed as the 4th Commander of the Royal Ceylon Air Force on the 1st of January 1971. He was the first Ceylonese Officer to command Royal Ceylon Air Force, who also started his career in the same organization as well. With Ceylon becoming a Republic in 1972, the Royal Ceylon Air Force changed its name to the Sri Lanka Air Force along with its entire insignia and Air Vice Marshal PH Mendis became the first commander of Sri Lanka Air Force.
With this proud heritage in mind and under the directives of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, a special Felicitation Ceremony was held on 01 January 2021 for late Air Chief Marshal PH Mendis (Retd) at the Air Force Museum at SLAF Base Ratmalana on the 50th anniversary of assuming office as the Commander.
During his military career he contributed immensely for the betterment of the Sri Lanka Air Force and won the admiration of both his superiors and subordinates. He, who was always held in high esteem among his peers and colleagues for his integrity and honesty, was a source of encouragement and inspiration to Officers and Airmen both alike.
The last rites of Late Air Chief Marshal PH Mendis (Retd) will be held at 1400 hours tomorrow (19 January 2022) with full military honours at the ‘Nisala Sewana’ Cemetery in Dehiwala – Mount Lavinia.
Air Chief Marshal Pathman Hariprasadha Mendis (Retd) popularly known as “Paddy Mendis” was born on the 24th of January 1933. He joined the newly formed Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) as its fifth recruit on the 8th of August 1951. After enlistment, then Officer Cadet Mendis was sent to Britain for training at the prestigious Royal Air Force College in Cranwell. In 1959, then Flight Lieutenant Mendis was sent to the RAF Central Flying School to be trained as Flying Instructors at RAF Little Rissington in Gloucestershire. He was the first Ceylonese to be trained as a Qualified Flying Instructor.
Air Chief Marshal Mendis made steady progression through the ranks of Pilot Officer to Air Commodore and was appointed as the 4th Commander of the Royal Ceylon Air Force on the 1st of January 1971. He was the first Ceylonese Officer to command Royal Ceylon Air Force, who also started his career in the same organization as well. With Ceylon becoming a Republic in 1972, the Royal Ceylon Air Force changed its name to the Sri Lanka Air Force along with its entire insignia and Air Vice Marshal PH Mendis became the first commander of Sri Lanka Air Force.
With this proud heritage in mind and under the directives of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, a special Felicitation Ceremony was held on 01 January 2021 for late Air Chief Marshal PH Mendis (Retd) at the Air Force Museum at SLAF Base Ratmalana on the 50th anniversary of assuming office as the Commander.
During his military career he contributed immensely for the betterment of the Sri Lanka Air Force and won the admiration of both his superiors and subordinates. He, who was always held in high esteem among his peers and colleagues for his integrity and honesty, was a source of encouragement and inspiration to Officers and Airmen both alike.
The last rites of Late Air Chief Marshal PH Mendis (Retd) will be held at 1400 hours tomorrow (19 January 2022) with full military honours at the ‘Nisala Sewana’ Cemetery in Dehiwala – Mount Lavinia.
