AIR VICE MARSHAL SHEHAN WIJAYANAYAKE BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
Air Vice Marshal Shehan Wijayanayake USP, MBA in HRM bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force yesterday (24 June 2026), after completing over 36 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he was serving as the Director of the National Authority for Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention at the Ministry of Defence.
Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, at his office prior to his retirement. The Commander commended him for his distinguished and dedicated service rendered to the nation and to the Sri Lanka Air Force throughout an illustrious career spanning more than three decades. The Commander further highlighted his invaluable contribution towards national security, force protection, strategic coordination and disaster response, emphasizing that his professionalism would remain a lasting legacy within the SLAF. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake exchanged mementos to mark the occasion.
Subsequently, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing from Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
In recognition of the outstanding service rendered to the nation, a Farewell Dinner was hosted in honour of Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake with the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, members of the Air Force Board of Management and distinguished guests. The event took place at the Air Force Headquarters Officers’ Mess in Colombo.
Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake commenced his military career by joining the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the Regiment Branch on 04 October 1989 after completing his education at Wesley College, Colombo. Upon successful completion of his basic military and regiment training, he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on 17 July 1992.
Throughout his distinguished career, Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake held numerous command, staff and instructional appointments that significantly contributed to the operational effectiveness of the Sri Lanka Air Force. He served as Commanding Officer of No. 111 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron at both SLAF Academy China Bay and SLAF Base Vavuniya, where he played a pioneering role in the development and operational employment of UAV capabilities within the Air Force. He subsequently held several key command appointments including Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Koggala, No. 28 Regiment Wing SLAF Station Colombo, No. 02 Leisure and Recreation Wing SLAF Base Ratmalana, SLAF Detachment Battaramulla and Officer Commanding SLAF Detachment Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.
Further he served in several important staff appointments including Staff Officer Battle Management Command Centre at the Directorate of Air Operations and Staff Officer Ground Operations I at Air Force Headquarters. His strategic expertise led to his appointment as Director Special Operations, Director Force Protection and Director Ground Operations Personnel and Planning. He subsequently served as Director General Coordinating at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff before assuming duties as Director of the National Authority for Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention at the Ministry of Defence.
Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake successfully completed his Basic Combat Course and Regiment Branch Training at the Combat Training School Diyatalawa and the Basic Administrative Course at the SLAF Trade Training School, Ekala. He further completed the Junior Command and Staff Course at SLAF Academy China Bay, the Junior Commanders Course in India and the Senior Command Course in India.
In addition to his military training, he obtained a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from the Open University of Sri Lanka and an Advanced National Diploma in Human Resource Management from the National Institute of Business Management. He also attended several local and overseas courses and training programmes including the International Officer Tactical Intelligence Course in the United States of America and the Advanced Security Cooperation Course at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii, USA.
Beyond his professional military responsibilities, Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake made significant contributions to sports administration within the Sri Lanka Air Force. He served as Chairman of SLAF Hockey and President of the Defence Services Hockey Association.
In recognition of his distinguished service, exceptional devotion to duty and exemplary conduct, Air Vice Marshal Shehan Chaminda Wijayanayake has been awarded the prestigious ‘Uttama Seva Padakkama’ (USP) along with several service, campaign and commemorative medals throughout his illustrious military career.
Farewell Call on
Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, at his office prior to his retirement. The Commander commended him for his distinguished and dedicated service rendered to the nation and to the Sri Lanka Air Force throughout an illustrious career spanning more than three decades. The Commander further highlighted his invaluable contribution towards national security, force protection, strategic coordination and disaster response, emphasizing that his professionalism would remain a lasting legacy within the SLAF. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake exchanged mementos to mark the occasion.
Subsequently, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing from Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
In recognition of the outstanding service rendered to the nation, a Farewell Dinner was hosted in honour of Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake with the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, members of the Air Force Board of Management and distinguished guests. The event took place at the Air Force Headquarters Officers’ Mess in Colombo.
Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake commenced his military career by joining the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the Regiment Branch on 04 October 1989 after completing his education at Wesley College, Colombo. Upon successful completion of his basic military and regiment training, he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on 17 July 1992.
Throughout his distinguished career, Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake held numerous command, staff and instructional appointments that significantly contributed to the operational effectiveness of the Sri Lanka Air Force. He served as Commanding Officer of No. 111 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron at both SLAF Academy China Bay and SLAF Base Vavuniya, where he played a pioneering role in the development and operational employment of UAV capabilities within the Air Force. He subsequently held several key command appointments including Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Koggala, No. 28 Regiment Wing SLAF Station Colombo, No. 02 Leisure and Recreation Wing SLAF Base Ratmalana, SLAF Detachment Battaramulla and Officer Commanding SLAF Detachment Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.
Further he served in several important staff appointments including Staff Officer Battle Management Command Centre at the Directorate of Air Operations and Staff Officer Ground Operations I at Air Force Headquarters. His strategic expertise led to his appointment as Director Special Operations, Director Force Protection and Director Ground Operations Personnel and Planning. He subsequently served as Director General Coordinating at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff before assuming duties as Director of the National Authority for Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention at the Ministry of Defence.
Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake successfully completed his Basic Combat Course and Regiment Branch Training at the Combat Training School Diyatalawa and the Basic Administrative Course at the SLAF Trade Training School, Ekala. He further completed the Junior Command and Staff Course at SLAF Academy China Bay, the Junior Commanders Course in India and the Senior Command Course in India.
In addition to his military training, he obtained a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from the Open University of Sri Lanka and an Advanced National Diploma in Human Resource Management from the National Institute of Business Management. He also attended several local and overseas courses and training programmes including the International Officer Tactical Intelligence Course in the United States of America and the Advanced Security Cooperation Course at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii, USA.
Beyond his professional military responsibilities, Air Vice Marshal Wijayanayake made significant contributions to sports administration within the Sri Lanka Air Force. He served as Chairman of SLAF Hockey and President of the Defence Services Hockey Association.
In recognition of his distinguished service, exceptional devotion to duty and exemplary conduct, Air Vice Marshal Shehan Chaminda Wijayanayake has been awarded the prestigious ‘Uttama Seva Padakkama’ (USP) along with several service, campaign and commemorative medals throughout his illustrious military career.
Farewell Call on
Guard of honour
Dining out
