AIR VICE MARSHAL PALITHA BALASOORIYA BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
11:32pm on Friday 26th August 2022
Air Vice Marshal Palitha Balasooriya USP, MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, BSc (Def Stu) in Mgt bid adieu to Sri Lanka Air Force today (26 August 2022) after 34 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he held the appointment of Director Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Balasooriya 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 Balasooriya 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 (26 August 2022) before he departed Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Palitha Balasooriya joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 17 May 1988 with the 19th Intake as an Officer Cadet and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Electronics 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 qualified with sound academic background holding a Master of Degree in Defence Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Defence Management from the General Sir Kotelawala Defence University.
Air Vice Marshal Balasooriya possessed wide range of experiences in the Electronics Engineering Branch which includes specialization in the fields of Radio Communications, Telecommunications, Radars and Avionics. During his distinguished service career, he has served in many different establishments of the Sri Lanka Air Force and holds the credit for introducing and establishing aircraft wire harnesses fabricating facility, becoming a pioneering member of establishing the National Air Defence System in Sri Lanka, establishment of Depot level repair facility for Radar Systems maintenance and became the first Commanding Officer of the establishment.
He is also qualified as an Air Surveillance Officer. Air Vice Marshal Balasooriya held the appointment of Command Research and Development Officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force before assuming the duties as the Director of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering.
For his distinguished and exemplary service, he has been awarded with Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal and the “Uttama Seva Padakkama”.
Air Vice Marshal Balasooriya 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 Balasooriya 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 (26 August 2022) before he departed Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Palitha Balasooriya joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 17 May 1988 with the 19th Intake as an Officer Cadet and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Electronics 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 qualified with sound academic background holding a Master of Degree in Defence Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Defence Management from the General Sir Kotelawala Defence University.
Air Vice Marshal Balasooriya possessed wide range of experiences in the Electronics Engineering Branch which includes specialization in the fields of Radio Communications, Telecommunications, Radars and Avionics. During his distinguished service career, he has served in many different establishments of the Sri Lanka Air Force and holds the credit for introducing and establishing aircraft wire harnesses fabricating facility, becoming a pioneering member of establishing the National Air Defence System in Sri Lanka, establishment of Depot level repair facility for Radar Systems maintenance and became the first Commanding Officer of the establishment.
He is also qualified as an Air Surveillance Officer. Air Vice Marshal Balasooriya held the appointment of Command Research and Development Officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force before assuming the duties as the Director of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering.
For his distinguished and exemplary service, he has been awarded with Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal and the “Uttama Seva Padakkama”.
