AIR VICE MARSHAL SURESH FERNANDO BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
12:53pm on Tuesday 17th December 2024
Air Vice Marshal Suresh Noel Feranando RSP, MDS, MA (Sec Stu - USA), psc, bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force today (17 December 2024), after completing more than 35 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 Fernando made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, at his office on 10 December 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 Fernando exchanged mementos to mark the occasion. In recognition of the outstanding service rendered to the nation, the Farewell Dinner was graciously hosted in honour of Air Vice Marshal Fernando with the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa along with Chairperson SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Enoka Rajapaksa and the members of the Air Force Board of Management. This momentous occasion took place at the Air Force Headquarters Officers' Mess in Colombo on yesterday night (16 December 2024). Subsequently, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour today (17 December 2024) by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing from Air Force Headquarters at Defence Headquarters Complex for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Suresh Fernando embarked on his military journey in 1988 as an Officer Cadet commencing with Basic combat training at SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa, followed by Basic and Advanced Administrative training at SLAF Academy China Bay. Subsequently, he completed advanced Combat Regiment training at SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa. Since 1990, he has served as an Administrative Regiment Officer at SLAF Ampara and has been actively engaged in operational duties.
Air Vice Marshal Fernando accomplished Land-Based Air Defence training in 1996, Junior Command and Staff College training at SLAF Academy China Bay in 2003 and Method of Instructions (MIC) Course at Air Force Station Thambaram, India, in 2004. He pursued the Civil-Military Response to Terrorism Course in 2006 and the Law of Armed Conflict Course at Peace Support College Kemantha, Malaysia, in 2008. Graduating from the Defence Services Command and Staff College Sri Lanka in 2009, he earned a Master of Science in Defence Management from the University of Kelaniya in 2010. In 2011, he completed the Senior Command Course at War College Mhow, India, followed by the Defence Management Course in Secundarabad, India, in 2013 and the Commanding Officer's Orientation Course at Air War College Secunderabad, India, in 2015. Additionally, he attended the Women Employment in Military conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in 2016. Air Vice Marshal PSN Fernando pursued a Master of Arts in Counter Terrorism and Policy at the Naval Postgraduate School in California, USA, in 2018.
Actively involved in ground operations for 19 years since 1990, particularly in the North and East, Air Vice Marshal Fernando's gallant service earned him the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP). He has commanded seven Air Force establishments and subsequently held the appointment of Director General Welfare before being appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Beyond his military commitments, he is a skilled golfer and has been a member of the Sri Lanka Air Force Golf team since 2012. He held the position of Chairman of Soccer in the Air Force Sports Council and is an active member of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka.
Air Vice Marshal Fernando made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, at his office on 10 December 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 Fernando exchanged mementos to mark the occasion. In recognition of the outstanding service rendered to the nation, the Farewell Dinner was graciously hosted in honour of Air Vice Marshal Fernando with the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa along with Chairperson SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Enoka Rajapaksa and the members of the Air Force Board of Management. This momentous occasion took place at the Air Force Headquarters Officers' Mess in Colombo on yesterday night (16 December 2024). Subsequently, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour today (17 December 2024) by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing from Air Force Headquarters at Defence Headquarters Complex for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Suresh Fernando embarked on his military journey in 1988 as an Officer Cadet commencing with Basic combat training at SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa, followed by Basic and Advanced Administrative training at SLAF Academy China Bay. Subsequently, he completed advanced Combat Regiment training at SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa. Since 1990, he has served as an Administrative Regiment Officer at SLAF Ampara and has been actively engaged in operational duties.
Air Vice Marshal Fernando accomplished Land-Based Air Defence training in 1996, Junior Command and Staff College training at SLAF Academy China Bay in 2003 and Method of Instructions (MIC) Course at Air Force Station Thambaram, India, in 2004. He pursued the Civil-Military Response to Terrorism Course in 2006 and the Law of Armed Conflict Course at Peace Support College Kemantha, Malaysia, in 2008. Graduating from the Defence Services Command and Staff College Sri Lanka in 2009, he earned a Master of Science in Defence Management from the University of Kelaniya in 2010. In 2011, he completed the Senior Command Course at War College Mhow, India, followed by the Defence Management Course in Secundarabad, India, in 2013 and the Commanding Officer's Orientation Course at Air War College Secunderabad, India, in 2015. Additionally, he attended the Women Employment in Military conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in 2016. Air Vice Marshal PSN Fernando pursued a Master of Arts in Counter Terrorism and Policy at the Naval Postgraduate School in California, USA, in 2018.
Actively involved in ground operations for 19 years since 1990, particularly in the North and East, Air Vice Marshal Fernando's gallant service earned him the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP). He has commanded seven Air Force establishments and subsequently held the appointment of Director General Welfare before being appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Beyond his military commitments, he is a skilled golfer and has been a member of the Sri Lanka Air Force Golf team since 2012. He held the position of Chairman of Soccer in the Air Force Sports Council and is an active member of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka.
