AIR VICE MARSHAL DUSHYANTHA RATHNAYAKE BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
4:34pm on Wednesday 27th July 2022
Air Vice Marshal Dushyantha Rathnayake MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, MDS, psc bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force today (27 July 2022) after more than 34 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he held the appointment of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Rathnayake made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at his office. 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 Rathnayake 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 (27 July 2022) before he departed Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Dushyantha Rathnayake joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 06th July 1987 to the 18th Intake as an Officer Cadet and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Aeronautical and General Engineering Branch in the year 1989. During his training period he has successfully completed the Basic Combat Training at SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa, Basic Administration and Branch Training Courses at SLAF Academy China Bay. He has followed Junior Command and Staff Course at the Junior Command and Staff College at SLAF Academy China-Bay and Senior Staff Course at the Defence Services Command and Staff College Batalanda.
He has undergone the Aircraft Maintenance Officers’ Course (AMOC) at United States Air Force, Ground Safety Officers’ Course in Pakistan Air Force, Senior Engineers’ Management Orientation Course (SEMOC) in Indian Air Force, Aircraft Accident Investigation Course in Pakistan Air Force and Bell Helicopter 412/ 212 Main and Tail Rotor Blades Maintenance Course in Singapore.
Air Vice Marshal MD Rathnayake graduated from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University obtaining Master’s degree in Defence Studies and Master of Science degree (Defence Studies) in Management. He is also a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Category ‘C’) from the Civil Aviation Authority Sri Lanka (CAASL) for Bell 412 helicopters. Further, he holds Diploma in Professional Diplomacy and World Affairs from the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute Colombo.
During his career in the Sri Lanka Air Force, he has served at No 2 Transport Squadron and at No 4 Helicopter Squadron as an Engineering Officer. He has held the several key appointments such as Officer Commanding Maintenance at No 7 Helicopter Squadron, Staff Officer Aeronautical Engineering III at the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering Air Force Headquarters, Commanding Officer of the Mechanical Transport Repair and Overhaul Wing SLAF Base Katunayake, Commanding Officer of the General Engineering Wing SLAF Base Katunayake, Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Engineering Wing SLAF Base Katunayake, Command Quality Assurance Officer, Deputy Director Aeronautical Engineering, Director General Engineering on two separated terms and also Director Aeronautical Engineering on two separated tenures at Air Force Headquarters Colombo before taking on the position of the Deputy Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Air Force.
During his distinguished military career of more than 34 years, he has been awarded with the Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary Medal, 50th Independent Commemoration Medal, North Humanitarian Operation Medal, East Humanitarian Operation Medal, North and East Operations Medal, Purna Bumhi Padakkama, and Riviresa Campaign Service Medal.
Air Vice Marshal Rathnayake made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at his office. 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 Rathnayake 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 (27 July 2022) before he departed Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Dushyantha Rathnayake joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 06th July 1987 to the 18th Intake as an Officer Cadet and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Aeronautical and General Engineering Branch in the year 1989. During his training period he has successfully completed the Basic Combat Training at SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa, Basic Administration and Branch Training Courses at SLAF Academy China Bay. He has followed Junior Command and Staff Course at the Junior Command and Staff College at SLAF Academy China-Bay and Senior Staff Course at the Defence Services Command and Staff College Batalanda.
He has undergone the Aircraft Maintenance Officers’ Course (AMOC) at United States Air Force, Ground Safety Officers’ Course in Pakistan Air Force, Senior Engineers’ Management Orientation Course (SEMOC) in Indian Air Force, Aircraft Accident Investigation Course in Pakistan Air Force and Bell Helicopter 412/ 212 Main and Tail Rotor Blades Maintenance Course in Singapore.
Air Vice Marshal MD Rathnayake graduated from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University obtaining Master’s degree in Defence Studies and Master of Science degree (Defence Studies) in Management. He is also a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Category ‘C’) from the Civil Aviation Authority Sri Lanka (CAASL) for Bell 412 helicopters. Further, he holds Diploma in Professional Diplomacy and World Affairs from the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute Colombo.
During his career in the Sri Lanka Air Force, he has served at No 2 Transport Squadron and at No 4 Helicopter Squadron as an Engineering Officer. He has held the several key appointments such as Officer Commanding Maintenance at No 7 Helicopter Squadron, Staff Officer Aeronautical Engineering III at the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering Air Force Headquarters, Commanding Officer of the Mechanical Transport Repair and Overhaul Wing SLAF Base Katunayake, Commanding Officer of the General Engineering Wing SLAF Base Katunayake, Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Engineering Wing SLAF Base Katunayake, Command Quality Assurance Officer, Deputy Director Aeronautical Engineering, Director General Engineering on two separated terms and also Director Aeronautical Engineering on two separated tenures at Air Force Headquarters Colombo before taking on the position of the Deputy Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Air Force.
During his distinguished military career of more than 34 years, he has been awarded with the Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary Medal, 50th Independent Commemoration Medal, North Humanitarian Operation Medal, East Humanitarian Operation Medal, North and East Operations Medal, Purna Bumhi Padakkama, and Riviresa Campaign Service Medal.
