NEW DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE APPOINTED
8:11am on Wednesday 22nd November 2023
Air Vice Marshal Waruna Gunawardena was appointed as the Deputy Chief Staff in Sri Lanka Air Force, effective from on 20 November 2023. Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa officially handed over the letter of appointment to Air Vice Marshal Waruna Gunawardena at the Air Force Headquarters and conveyed his best wishes to the newly appointed Deputy Chief Staff.
Air Vice Marshal Waruna Gunawardena is a past pupil of Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya. He commenced his career in the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1988 as an Officer Cadet of the 19th Officer Cadets Intake. He followed the initial combat training at Sri Lanka Air Force Diyatalawa and then completed the advanced training as a Regiment Officer Cadet. On completion of his training, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1990 and was posted to the Regiment Wing of Sri Lanka Air Force Base Vavuniya where he served for 5 years. In 1995, he successfully completed the training on Explosive Ordnance Disposal at the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training School which was then at Sri Lanka Air Force Station Sigiriya.
During his past tenure, he has held many key appointments such as, Commanding Officer of the Regiment Wing Wanni, where he played an active role in conducting several countermine operations and commanded several demining operations in heavily mined areas in the Northern Province. Thereafter, he was posted to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training School, Sigiriya as the Chief Instructor, where he pioneered in introducing particular training to Sri Lanka Navy while assisting to establish the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Arm. He commanded Sri Lanka Air Force Station Palavi and rendered his service voluntarily by conducting a series of Mine Risk Education for Civilians and Children who were at the refugee camps in the Northern area as a support to the UN Mine Risk Education Prgramme. Further, he also held appointment of the Staff Officer III at the Directorate of Operations. In addition, he was appointed as the Chief Explosive Officer in the Air Force. In 2015 he held the appointment of Staff Officer Ground II at Directorate of Operations, Air Force Headquarters. Subsequently, he has been commanded many SLAF establishments such as Colombo, Diyatalawa and Ampara. Gradually, he took over the duties as the Deputy Director of Ground Operations, Director Genaral Ground Operations,
AFHQ before being appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff at present.
Apart from being a well decorated officer, Air Vice Marshal Gunawardana also has achieved many milestones in his academic career including Junior Command and Staff Course in India, Masters in Defence Studies from the University of Kelaniya, Higher Defence Management in India, Humanitarian Demining Course in Pakistan, Aircraft Bomb Maintenance Course in Pakistan, Crisis Management Course at Hawaii, USA. Further, he has graduated from National Defence College, Bangladesh earning the distinguished title of "ndc". In addition, he is a member of the Institute of Explosive Engineers in United Kingdom.
During his military career, he has been honoured with 'Rana Sura Padakkama' for the distinguished conduct in face of the enemy, 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 distinguished service.
Air Vice Marshal Waruna Gunawardena is a past pupil of Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya. He commenced his career in the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1988 as an Officer Cadet of the 19th Officer Cadets Intake. He followed the initial combat training at Sri Lanka Air Force Diyatalawa and then completed the advanced training as a Regiment Officer Cadet. On completion of his training, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1990 and was posted to the Regiment Wing of Sri Lanka Air Force Base Vavuniya where he served for 5 years. In 1995, he successfully completed the training on Explosive Ordnance Disposal at the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training School which was then at Sri Lanka Air Force Station Sigiriya.
During his past tenure, he has held many key appointments such as, Commanding Officer of the Regiment Wing Wanni, where he played an active role in conducting several countermine operations and commanded several demining operations in heavily mined areas in the Northern Province. Thereafter, he was posted to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training School, Sigiriya as the Chief Instructor, where he pioneered in introducing particular training to Sri Lanka Navy while assisting to establish the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Arm. He commanded Sri Lanka Air Force Station Palavi and rendered his service voluntarily by conducting a series of Mine Risk Education for Civilians and Children who were at the refugee camps in the Northern area as a support to the UN Mine Risk Education Prgramme. Further, he also held appointment of the Staff Officer III at the Directorate of Operations. In addition, he was appointed as the Chief Explosive Officer in the Air Force. In 2015 he held the appointment of Staff Officer Ground II at Directorate of Operations, Air Force Headquarters. Subsequently, he has been commanded many SLAF establishments such as Colombo, Diyatalawa and Ampara. Gradually, he took over the duties as the Deputy Director of Ground Operations, Director Genaral Ground Operations,
AFHQ before being appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff at present.
Apart from being a well decorated officer, Air Vice Marshal Gunawardana also has achieved many milestones in his academic career including Junior Command and Staff Course in India, Masters in Defence Studies from the University of Kelaniya, Higher Defence Management in India, Humanitarian Demining Course in Pakistan, Aircraft Bomb Maintenance Course in Pakistan, Crisis Management Course at Hawaii, USA. Further, he has graduated from National Defence College, Bangladesh earning the distinguished title of "ndc". In addition, he is a member of the Institute of Explosive Engineers in United Kingdom.
During his military career, he has been honoured with 'Rana Sura Padakkama' for the distinguished conduct in face of the enemy, 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 distinguished service.
