AIR VICE MARSHAL PALINDA KOSWATTA BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
9:25am on Tuesday 18th June 2024
Air Vice Marshal Palinda Koswatta USP, BA (Def Stu) bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force today (18 June 2024), after completing 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 Koswatta made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, at his office on 11 June 2024. The Commander commended him for his dedicated 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 times of need for our motherland, and that his heroic history will remain etched in the annals of the SLAF. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Koswatta exchanged mementos to mark the occasion. Afterward, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour on 14 June 2024 by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing from Air Force Headquarters at Defence Headquarters Complex for the last time. In recognition of the outstanding service rendered to the nation, a Farewell Dinner was graciously hosted in honour of Air Vice Marshal Koswatta with the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa along with Chairperson Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Enoka Rajapaksa, the members of the Air Force Board of Management and their spouses. This momentous occasion took place at the Air Force Headquarters Officers' Mess in Colombo.
Air Vice Marshal Koswatta embarked on his journey in 1989 to the military service by enrolling as an Officer Cadet in the 7th intake of Kotelawala Defence Academy and successfully completed the Bachelor of Arts Degree. Subsequently, he successfully completed the Officer Cadets Basic Combat Course at Sri Lanka Air Force Combat Training School Diyatalawa, Basic Logistics and Branch Course at Sri Lanka Air Force Academy China Bay. His commission as a Pilot Officer in the Logistics Branch in 1991 marked the commencement of his career as a military officer.
Throughout his distinguished career, Air Vice Marshal Palinda Koswatta has assumed a series of significant roles, each marked by diverse and substantial responsibilities. These noteworthy positions include his service as the Senior Instructor at Non Commissioned Officers' Management School at SLAF Academy China Bay, Commanding Officer of the Equipment Provisioning and Accounting Unit at SLAF Base Katunayake, Assistant Procurement Officer - Local, Foreign Procurement Officer, Assistant Procurement Officer – Tenders and Chief Procurement Officer at Procurement Division Colombo, Staff Officer Planning I, Budget Control Officer, Director Budget, Deputy Director Logistics and Director Personal and Planning at Directorate of Logistics at Air Force Headquarters, Director General Logistics and the Deputy Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Air Force.
His conduct and service have been exemplary, leading to several prestigious awards, including the Uththama Sewa Paddakkama (USP), Long Service Medal and Clasp, Riviresa Medal and Clasp, North and East Operations Medal and Liberation of North and East Medals.
In addition to his local military experience, Air Vice Marshal Koswatta pursued various overseas training courses, thus achieving many milestones in his academic career. Notable, the Junior Command and Staff Course in India, Supply Explosive Managers Course in the United Kingdom, Fuel and Lubricant Management Course in India, and Senior Command & Staff Course in Pakistan. Additionally, he has attended the Pacific Area Senior Officer Logistics Seminar (PASOL) Indonesia and actively participated in international military dialogues held with Pacific Air Forces in Hawaii 2023, underlining his commitment to global military cooperation and dialogues. Outside his professional life, he held the appointment of Chairman of SLAF Rowing and Kayaking in Air Force Sports Council.
Air Vice Marshal Koswatta made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, at his office on 11 June 2024. The Commander commended him for his dedicated 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 times of need for our motherland, and that his heroic history will remain etched in the annals of the SLAF. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Koswatta exchanged mementos to mark the occasion. Afterward, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour on 14 June 2024 by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing from Air Force Headquarters at Defence Headquarters Complex for the last time. In recognition of the outstanding service rendered to the nation, a Farewell Dinner was graciously hosted in honour of Air Vice Marshal Koswatta with the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa along with Chairperson Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Enoka Rajapaksa, the members of the Air Force Board of Management and their spouses. This momentous occasion took place at the Air Force Headquarters Officers' Mess in Colombo.
Air Vice Marshal Koswatta embarked on his journey in 1989 to the military service by enrolling as an Officer Cadet in the 7th intake of Kotelawala Defence Academy and successfully completed the Bachelor of Arts Degree. Subsequently, he successfully completed the Officer Cadets Basic Combat Course at Sri Lanka Air Force Combat Training School Diyatalawa, Basic Logistics and Branch Course at Sri Lanka Air Force Academy China Bay. His commission as a Pilot Officer in the Logistics Branch in 1991 marked the commencement of his career as a military officer.
Throughout his distinguished career, Air Vice Marshal Palinda Koswatta has assumed a series of significant roles, each marked by diverse and substantial responsibilities. These noteworthy positions include his service as the Senior Instructor at Non Commissioned Officers' Management School at SLAF Academy China Bay, Commanding Officer of the Equipment Provisioning and Accounting Unit at SLAF Base Katunayake, Assistant Procurement Officer - Local, Foreign Procurement Officer, Assistant Procurement Officer – Tenders and Chief Procurement Officer at Procurement Division Colombo, Staff Officer Planning I, Budget Control Officer, Director Budget, Deputy Director Logistics and Director Personal and Planning at Directorate of Logistics at Air Force Headquarters, Director General Logistics and the Deputy Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Air Force.
His conduct and service have been exemplary, leading to several prestigious awards, including the Uththama Sewa Paddakkama (USP), Long Service Medal and Clasp, Riviresa Medal and Clasp, North and East Operations Medal and Liberation of North and East Medals.
In addition to his local military experience, Air Vice Marshal Koswatta pursued various overseas training courses, thus achieving many milestones in his academic career. Notable, the Junior Command and Staff Course in India, Supply Explosive Managers Course in the United Kingdom, Fuel and Lubricant Management Course in India, and Senior Command & Staff Course in Pakistan. Additionally, he has attended the Pacific Area Senior Officer Logistics Seminar (PASOL) Indonesia and actively participated in international military dialogues held with Pacific Air Forces in Hawaii 2023, underlining his commitment to global military cooperation and dialogues. Outside his professional life, he held the appointment of Chairman of SLAF Rowing and Kayaking in Air Force Sports Council.
