AIR VICE MARSHAL KAPILA WANIGASOORIYA BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
1:33pm on Sunday 20th February 2022
Air Vice Marshal Kapila Wanigasooriya RWP, RSP, USP, MMSc (Nat Sec Strat- China), MDS, fndu(China), psc bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force today (20 February 2022) after more than 34 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he held the appointment of Director Air Operations of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Wanigasooriya made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at his office on 19 February 2022. The Commander commended him for his dedicated long years of service rendered to the Nation and to the Sri Lanka Air Force in particular. The Commander also emphasized that he was one of the key stakeholders during the time of need of our motherland and that his heroic history will remain etched in the annals of the SLAF. The Commander and the Air Vice Marshal exchanged mementos to mark the occasion. After which, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the SLAF Colour Wing at the same day (19 February 2022) before he departed Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Kapila Wanigasooriya joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 18th May 1986 to the 16th Intake as an Officer Cadet and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the General Duties Pilot Branch in the year 1987. During his training period he has successfully completed the Basic Combat Training, Basic Flying Training, Basic and Advanced Helicopter Training Courses. After completion of training in the year 1987 he was deployed for flying duties as an operational pilot. He attended various professional courses including Junior Commanders’ Course, Aircraft Accident Investigation Course, Flight Safety Officers’ Course in Pakistan and he graduated from Defence Services Command and Staff Collage, Sapugaskanda in the year 2007. He holds a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies (MDS) form the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He also followed the Advanced Security Co-operation Course at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, Honolulu, Hawaii and the Defence and Strategic Studies course at the National Defence University, PLA, China. Further, he graduated from the National Defence University in Beijing, China and holds a Master of Military Science (MMSc-china).
Air Vice Marshal Wanigasooriya commanded the No.06 Helicopter Squadron, No. 07 Helicopter Squadron and he is a VVIP rated helicopter pilot with over 6300 flying hours. Further, he has commanded Sir Lanka Air Force Bases Hingurakgoda and Vavuniya. He also served as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Command and Staff Collage. Further, he also performed duties as the Assistant Military Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development and subsequently he was appointed as the Chief Instructor of the Air Wing at the Defence Services Command and Staff College Sapugaskanda in the year 2016. Later he served in the capacity of Director Air Operations of the Sri Lanka Air Force and held the appointment of Director Welfare before being appointed to this office.
For his individual acts of gallantry and bravery, he has been decorated with the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP). For his distinguish and exemplary service he has been awarded Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) and the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Services Medal in additional to the campaign and operational service medals.
Air Vice Marshal Wanigasooriya made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at his office on 19 February 2022. The Commander commended him for his dedicated long years of service rendered to the Nation and to the Sri Lanka Air Force in particular. The Commander also emphasized that he was one of the key stakeholders during the time of need of our motherland and that his heroic history will remain etched in the annals of the SLAF. The Commander and the Air Vice Marshal exchanged mementos to mark the occasion. After which, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the SLAF Colour Wing at the same day (19 February 2022) before he departed Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Kapila Wanigasooriya joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 18th May 1986 to the 16th Intake as an Officer Cadet and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the General Duties Pilot Branch in the year 1987. During his training period he has successfully completed the Basic Combat Training, Basic Flying Training, Basic and Advanced Helicopter Training Courses. After completion of training in the year 1987 he was deployed for flying duties as an operational pilot. He attended various professional courses including Junior Commanders’ Course, Aircraft Accident Investigation Course, Flight Safety Officers’ Course in Pakistan and he graduated from Defence Services Command and Staff Collage, Sapugaskanda in the year 2007. He holds a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies (MDS) form the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He also followed the Advanced Security Co-operation Course at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, Honolulu, Hawaii and the Defence and Strategic Studies course at the National Defence University, PLA, China. Further, he graduated from the National Defence University in Beijing, China and holds a Master of Military Science (MMSc-china).
Air Vice Marshal Wanigasooriya commanded the No.06 Helicopter Squadron, No. 07 Helicopter Squadron and he is a VVIP rated helicopter pilot with over 6300 flying hours. Further, he has commanded Sir Lanka Air Force Bases Hingurakgoda and Vavuniya. He also served as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Command and Staff Collage. Further, he also performed duties as the Assistant Military Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development and subsequently he was appointed as the Chief Instructor of the Air Wing at the Defence Services Command and Staff College Sapugaskanda in the year 2016. Later he served in the capacity of Director Air Operations of the Sri Lanka Air Force and held the appointment of Director Welfare before being appointed to this office.
For his individual acts of gallantry and bravery, he has been decorated with the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP). For his distinguish and exemplary service he has been awarded Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) and the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Services Medal in additional to the campaign and operational service medals.
