Group Captain DGPL Jayathilaka MSc (Def & Strat Stu), BA (Def Stu), Pg Dip (Def Mgt), Pg Dip (HRM), psc assumed duties as the inaugural Commanding Officer of the SLAF Disaster Management Training School, Digana, yesterday (20 December 2024). This marks the conversion of SLAF Detachment Digana into a Disaster Management Training School under the leadership of a Commanding Officer.

The proceedings began with a troop address, followed by religious observances and a tree-planting programme. The formal handing over of responsibilities was conducted by the former Commanding Officer of the SLAF Disaster Management Training Centre, Mullaitivu, Wing Commander APUR Dharmasiri USP, MSc (Mil Stu) Ban, PG Dip (Def Mgt), psc.  Wing Commander Dharmasiri handed over the Local Unit Establishment documents to Group Captain Jayathilaka, completing the transition.

Previously, SLAF Detachment Digana was commanded by an Officer Commanding. The appointment of a Commanding Officer reflects the transition to a fully-fledged Disaster Management Training School.

The new Commanding Officer, Group Captain DGPL Jayathilaka previously held the appointment of Commanding Officer at SLAF Station Iranamadu before being appointed as the Commanding Officer of SLAF Disaster Management Training School Digana.