AIR VICE MARSHAL KITHSIRI LEELARATNE BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
4:30pm on Tuesday 5th July 2022
Air Vice Marshal Kithsiri Leelaratne RWP, USP, MDS (Ban), BSc (Def Stu), AMITD (SL), psc bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force today (05 July 2022) after more than 33 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he held the appointment of Director Provost of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Leelaratne made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at his office today (05 July 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 illustrious career will remain etched in the annals of the SLAF. The Commander and the Air Vice Marshal Leelaratne 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 before he departed Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Kithsiri Leelaratne joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 06th October 1988 to the 06th Intake of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy as an Officer Cadet. Subsequently, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Aeronautical and General Engineering Branch in the year 1990. During his training period he has successfully completed the Basic Combat Training and Degree Programme at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy, Basic Administration and Branch Training Courses at SLAF Academy China Bay. After completion of training in the year 1990 he was deployed to perform operational duties as an Engineering Officer at No.01 Flying Training Wing SLAF Base Anuradapura. He attended various professional courses including Junior Command and Staff Course, Kfir C2 Familiarization Training Course in Israel, Aeronautical Engineer's Instructor Course in India, Russian Air Borne Stores/Munitions Construction Maintenance and Preparation Course in Ukraine, K-8 Air Craft Technical Training Course in China and Air Staff Course in Bangladesh in the year 2007.
Air Vice Marshal Leelaratne commanded Aeronautical Engineering Supporting Wing SLAF Base Ratmalana in the year 2015. Further, he has held the appointments of Staff Officer General Engineering I at Directorate of General Engineering, Command Quality Assurance Officer and Staff Officer Technical to Commander of the Air Force at Air Force Headquarters Colombo.
Later, he served in the capacity of Director Provost of the Sri Lanka Air Force and held the appointment of Air Secretary before being appointed as the Director Provost.
For his individual acts of gallantry and bravery, he has been decorated with the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP). For his distinguish and exemplary service he has been awarded Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) and the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Services Medal and Clasp in additional to the campaign and operational service medals.
Air Vice Marshal Leelaratne made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at his office today (05 July 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 illustrious career will remain etched in the annals of the SLAF. The Commander and the Air Vice Marshal Leelaratne 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 before he departed Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Kithsiri Leelaratne joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 06th October 1988 to the 06th Intake of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy as an Officer Cadet. Subsequently, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Aeronautical and General Engineering Branch in the year 1990. During his training period he has successfully completed the Basic Combat Training and Degree Programme at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy, Basic Administration and Branch Training Courses at SLAF Academy China Bay. After completion of training in the year 1990 he was deployed to perform operational duties as an Engineering Officer at No.01 Flying Training Wing SLAF Base Anuradapura. He attended various professional courses including Junior Command and Staff Course, Kfir C2 Familiarization Training Course in Israel, Aeronautical Engineer's Instructor Course in India, Russian Air Borne Stores/Munitions Construction Maintenance and Preparation Course in Ukraine, K-8 Air Craft Technical Training Course in China and Air Staff Course in Bangladesh in the year 2007.
Air Vice Marshal Leelaratne commanded Aeronautical Engineering Supporting Wing SLAF Base Ratmalana in the year 2015. Further, he has held the appointments of Staff Officer General Engineering I at Directorate of General Engineering, Command Quality Assurance Officer and Staff Officer Technical to Commander of the Air Force at Air Force Headquarters Colombo.
Later, he served in the capacity of Director Provost of the Sri Lanka Air Force and held the appointment of Air Secretary before being appointed as the Director Provost.
For his individual acts of gallantry and bravery, he has been decorated with the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP). For his distinguish and exemplary service he has been awarded Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) and the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Services Medal and Clasp in additional to the campaign and operational service medals.
