AIR VICE MARSHAL PRASANNA BALASURIYA BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
4:51pm on Friday 7th October 2022
Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Balasuriya USP, MMS , MDS, BA (Def Stu), MIM (SL), hdmc, psc, Justice of Peace bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force today (07 October 2022) after more than 35 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he held the appointment of Director General Coordinator to the Chief of Defence Staff.
Air Vice Marshal Balasuriya made an official farewell call on Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at his office on 05 October 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 stakeholder during the time of need of our motherland and his illustrious career will remain etched in the annals of the SLAF. The Commander and the Air Vice Marshal Balasuriya exchanged mementos to mark the occasion. Later, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the SLAF Colour Wing today (07 October 2022) before he departed Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Balasuriya joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 21st July 1987 to the 05th Intake of Kotelawala Defence University as an Officer Cadet and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Admin Branch in the year 1989. During his training period he has successfully completed the Basic Combat Course and Degree Programme at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University before completing the advanced training as an Administrative Officer Cadet. After completion of the training in year 1990 he was posted to the SLAF Station Sigiriya as the Assistant Administrative Officer.
Air Vice Marshal Balasuriya made an official farewell call on Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at his office on 05 October 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 stakeholder during the time of need of our motherland and his illustrious career will remain etched in the annals of the SLAF. The Commander and the Air Vice Marshal Balasuriya exchanged mementos to mark the occasion. Later, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the SLAF Colour Wing today (07 October 2022) before he departed Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Balasuriya joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 21st July 1987 to the 05th Intake of Kotelawala Defence University as an Officer Cadet and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Admin Branch in the year 1989. During his training period he has successfully completed the Basic Combat Course and Degree Programme at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University before completing the advanced training as an Administrative Officer Cadet. After completion of the training in year 1990 he was posted to the SLAF Station Sigiriya as the Assistant Administrative Officer.
During his tour of duty in the Sri Lanka Air Force, he has held many key appointments as, Staff Officer Organization Directorate of Administration SLAF Headquarters, Secretary to Chief of Defence Staff at BMICH, Staff Officer Personnel 1 Directorate of Administration SLAF Headquarters, Directing Staff I Air Wing at Defence Services Command & Staff College (DSC&SC) Sapugaskanda, Deputy Director Administration (Personnel) Directorate of Administration SLAF Headquarters, Commanding Officer Volunteer Air Force, Director Provost, Command Recruiting Officer and Acting Command Development Officer and Air Secretary in SLAF Headquarters Colombo. During his period of active service in the Sri Lanka Air Force, he has steadily achieved many professional milestones in his career and was appointed as the Director General Coordinator to Chief of Defence Staff. He has wide experience in managing crisis in non-conflict, conflict and, post-conflict situations.
Air Vice Marshal Balasuriya has also made many academic achievements by completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (Defence Studies) from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Provost and Security Course (Officers) in India, Air Staff Course at Defence Service Command and Staff College in Bangladesh, Master of Defence Service at National University in Bangladesh, Higher Defence Management Course at College of Defence Management in India, Master of Management Studies at Osmania University in India.
Air Vice Marshal Balasuriya has also made many academic achievements by completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (Defence Studies) from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Provost and Security Course (Officers) in India, Air Staff Course at Defence Service Command and Staff College in Bangladesh, Master of Defence Service at National University in Bangladesh, Higher Defence Management Course at College of Defence Management in India, Master of Management Studies at Osmania University in India.
Moreover, he attended many International and Local programmes and workshops namely International Convention of Peacemakers of Universal Harmony in Nepal, International Programme on Policy Planning, Implementation and Evaluation in Malaysia, Senior Fellow Workshop at Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Hawaii and Scholarship for Personality and Productivity workshop in India.
During his military career, he has been awarded with Uththama Sewa Padakkama for exceptional ability and unblemished conduct. The other medals that was awarded to him are ‘Purna Bhumi Padakkama’, ‘North and East Operations Medal’, ‘50th Anniversary (SLAF) Medal’, ‘Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal’, ‘Rivirasa Campaign Service Medal’, ‘50th Independence Anniversary Medal’, North and East Humanitarian Operational Medals for exemplary leadership and dedicated service.
Air Vice Marshal Balasuriya was an Officer with a serene demeanour, who is well known to be a meticulous and methodical professional. He was a distinguished alumnus at many educational establishments and holds a reputation in putting theory into practice. Apart from his military career he was a member of the Sri Lanka Air Force Sport Council and has held the appointments of Chairman Rugby and Tug of War in the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Balasuriya was an Officer with a serene demeanour, who is well known to be a meticulous and methodical professional. He was a distinguished alumnus at many educational establishments and holds a reputation in putting theory into practice. Apart from his military career he was a member of the Sri Lanka Air Force Sport Council and has held the appointments of Chairman Rugby and Tug of War in the Sri Lanka Air Force.
