The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, paid his last respects to the late Group Captain Nirmal Siyambalapitiya , the captain pilot who tragically succumbed to the Lunuwila incident , at his private residence in Ratmalana this morning (04 December 2025). The President also extended his deepest sympathies to the family of the late officer.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) along with other senior government officials, were also in attendance at the time.

Later, during the ceremonial funeral parade, the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Damian Weerasinghe, members of the Air Force Board of Management and the SLAF community paid their final respects to the late Group Captain Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, honouring his distinguished service, professionalism and devotion to duty.

The service funeral was held this evening  with full military honours at the ‘Nisala Sewana’ in Mount Lavinia.