AIR VICE MARSHAL SUMEDHA DE SILVA BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva, Eng, USP, BSc (Def Stu), A Eng, AMIE (SL), MIM (SL), bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) yesterday (24 August 2026), upon completion of over 36 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he served as the Director, Project Management Unit of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Prior to his retirement, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, at Air Force Headquarters. During the meeting, the Commander commended Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva for his distinguished and dedicated service to the nation and the Sri Lanka Air Force throughout an illustrious career spanning more than three decades. The Commander further highlighted his invaluable contribution to the design, construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of major airfield infrastructure projects, noting that his professionalism, technical expertise and commitment to duty would remain a lasting legacy within the SLAF. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva exchanged mementos to mark the occasion.
Subsequently, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing Air Force Headquarters for the final time in uniform.
In recognition of his outstanding service to the nation and the Sri Lanka Air Force, a Farewell Dinner was hosted in his honour at the Air Force Headquarters Officers’ Mess, Colombo. The occasion was graced by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, members of the Air Force Board of Management and other distinguished guests.
A proud alumnus of Dharmashoka College, Ambalangoda, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva joined the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) on 03 November 1990 as a member of the 8th Intake. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Airfield Construction Branch of Sri Lanka Air Force on 14 November 1992.
Throughout his distinguished career, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva held numerous command and staff appointments, making significant contributions to the operational effectiveness and infrastructure development of the Sri Lanka Air Force. He served as Officer Commanding/Works Engineer at several SLAF establishments, including SLAF Station Morawewa, SLAF CTS Diyatalawa, SLAF Station Kankesanthurai, SLAF Base Ratmalana, SLAF Detachment Mankulam, SLAF Academy China Bay, SLAF Base Katunayake and SLAF Base Colombo. He subsequently served as the Commanding Officer of the Rapid Runway Repair Wing and the Air Field Construction Wing.
His distinguished career also included appointments such as Staff Officer Civil Engineering-I, Senior Staff Officer Civil Engineering, Senior Project Coordinating Officer of the Defence Headquarters Complex Project, Director of Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and Director of the Special Project Management Unit of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva graduated from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and is an Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL). He further enhanced his professional and military expertise by successfully completing a number of specialized courses, including the Junior Command and Staff Course at the SLAF Academy, China Bay; the Senior Command and Staff Course at the Air War College in Pakistan, the Airfield Pavement Design and Evaluation Course in Singapore, the Pacific Unity Course in the United States of America, a Diploma in Highway Material Testing at the University of Moratuwa, a Diploma in Quality Management at the Sri Lanka Standards Institution in Colombo, an Advanced Auto-CAD Course at the University of Moratuwa, the Road Construction Development Programme at the Advanced Construction Training Academy in Battaramulla, and the Advanced Military Technology Course at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.
With his exceptional leadership, technical expertise and extensive experience in airfield construction, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva played a pivotal role in several major airfield development projects. His contributions included the construction and rehabilitation of runways at Iranamadu, Mullaitivu, Anuradhapura and Batticaloa, as well as the rehabilitation of the Hingurakgoda runway, which was upgraded to international airfield standards to facilitate the operation of Airbus A320 aircraft. His expertise and leadership in these projects contributed significantly to the enhancement of airfields of SLAF infrastructure and operational capabilities.
In recognition of his distinguished service, exceptional devotion to duty and exemplary conduct, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva was awarded the prestigious Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP), together with several service, campaign and commemorative medals during his illustrious military career. As Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva concludes over 36 years of dedicated service, his professionalism, technical expertise, leadership and enduring contribution to the development of Sri Lanka Air Force infrastructure will remain a valued legacy.
Prior to his retirement, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, at Air Force Headquarters. During the meeting, the Commander commended Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva for his distinguished and dedicated service to the nation and the Sri Lanka Air Force throughout an illustrious career spanning more than three decades. The Commander further highlighted his invaluable contribution to the design, construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of major airfield infrastructure projects, noting that his professionalism, technical expertise and commitment to duty would remain a lasting legacy within the SLAF. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva exchanged mementos to mark the occasion.
Subsequently, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing Air Force Headquarters for the final time in uniform.
In recognition of his outstanding service to the nation and the Sri Lanka Air Force, a Farewell Dinner was hosted in his honour at the Air Force Headquarters Officers’ Mess, Colombo. The occasion was graced by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, members of the Air Force Board of Management and other distinguished guests.
A proud alumnus of Dharmashoka College, Ambalangoda, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva joined the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) on 03 November 1990 as a member of the 8th Intake. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Airfield Construction Branch of Sri Lanka Air Force on 14 November 1992.
Throughout his distinguished career, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva held numerous command and staff appointments, making significant contributions to the operational effectiveness and infrastructure development of the Sri Lanka Air Force. He served as Officer Commanding/Works Engineer at several SLAF establishments, including SLAF Station Morawewa, SLAF CTS Diyatalawa, SLAF Station Kankesanthurai, SLAF Base Ratmalana, SLAF Detachment Mankulam, SLAF Academy China Bay, SLAF Base Katunayake and SLAF Base Colombo. He subsequently served as the Commanding Officer of the Rapid Runway Repair Wing and the Air Field Construction Wing.
His distinguished career also included appointments such as Staff Officer Civil Engineering-I, Senior Staff Officer Civil Engineering, Senior Project Coordinating Officer of the Defence Headquarters Complex Project, Director of Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and Director of the Special Project Management Unit of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva graduated from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and is an Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL). He further enhanced his professional and military expertise by successfully completing a number of specialized courses, including the Junior Command and Staff Course at the SLAF Academy, China Bay; the Senior Command and Staff Course at the Air War College in Pakistan, the Airfield Pavement Design and Evaluation Course in Singapore, the Pacific Unity Course in the United States of America, a Diploma in Highway Material Testing at the University of Moratuwa, a Diploma in Quality Management at the Sri Lanka Standards Institution in Colombo, an Advanced Auto-CAD Course at the University of Moratuwa, the Road Construction Development Programme at the Advanced Construction Training Academy in Battaramulla, and the Advanced Military Technology Course at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.
With his exceptional leadership, technical expertise and extensive experience in airfield construction, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva played a pivotal role in several major airfield development projects. His contributions included the construction and rehabilitation of runways at Iranamadu, Mullaitivu, Anuradhapura and Batticaloa, as well as the rehabilitation of the Hingurakgoda runway, which was upgraded to international airfield standards to facilitate the operation of Airbus A320 aircraft. His expertise and leadership in these projects contributed significantly to the enhancement of airfields of SLAF infrastructure and operational capabilities.
In recognition of his distinguished service, exceptional devotion to duty and exemplary conduct, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva was awarded the prestigious Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP), together with several service, campaign and commemorative medals during his illustrious military career. As Air Vice Marshal Sumedha De Silva concludes over 36 years of dedicated service, his professionalism, technical expertise, leadership and enduring contribution to the development of Sri Lanka Air Force infrastructure will remain a valued legacy.
Farewell call on
Guard of honour
Dining out
