NEW DIRECTOR GENERAL AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING OF THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE APPOINTED
Air Vice Marshal Prasanka Martino was appointed as the Director General Aeronautical Engineering in the Sri Lanka Air Force, effective from today (01 September 2026). The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe officially handed over the letter of appointment to Air Vice Marshal Prasanka Martino at the Air Force Headquarters today and conveyed his best wishes to the newly appointed Director General Aeronautical Engineering.
Air Vice Marshal Prasanka Martino is a proud product of St Benedict’s College, Colombo and joined the SLAF as an Officer Cadet of the 11th Intake of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy in 1993. Upon successful completion of his training, he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer in the Aeronautical and General Engineering Branch of the Sri Lanka Air Force on 17 October 1996.
During his service tenure, he was entrusted with several key appointments of national and strategic importance. He has served as the Officer Commanding Maintenance of No 1 Flying Training Wing, Staff Officer appointments at the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering. Served for three years as the Technical Training Manager of the Helitours Technical Training Centre, functioning as a Form-4 Appointment Holder in compliance with IS-147 regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.
He also served as the Commanding Officer of Research and Development Wing, General Engineering Wing and Trade Training School Ekala, Director Quality Assurance and as the Director General General Engineering before assuming duties as the Director General Aeronautical Engineering in the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Prasanka Martino possesses extensive experience in both line and base maintenance management across multiple aviation platforms and holding aircraft maintenance license with respect to Category B1.1, B1.3, C and type rating in MA60 aircraft. His professional expertise includes continuing airworthiness management, engineering change management, safety management systems, quality assurance audits, human resource management, and coordination with Original Equipment Manufacturers, National aviation authorities, and International stakeholders.
In addition to aviation engineering, he has over ten years of experience in automotive engineering and ground support equipment maintenance management, along with industrial exposure in non-destructive testing and workshop maintenance operations. His leadership has been instrumental in managing multidisciplinary professional teams while maintaining the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
His academic journey started with the earning of Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and multiple postgraduate and executive qualifications in project management, human resource management, and knowledge management. He is a Fellow member of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (UK), member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (UK) and holds several professional memberships and certifications, including ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor qualification. Moreover he is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer recognized by the Engineering Council of Sri Lanka and a Chartered Aeronautical Engineer registered with the Engineering Council of the United Kingdom. For his distinguished and exemplary service to the nation, he has been awarded with “Uththama Seva Padakkama.”
Air Vice Marshal Prasanka Martino is a proud product of St Benedict’s College, Colombo and joined the SLAF as an Officer Cadet of the 11th Intake of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy in 1993. Upon successful completion of his training, he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer in the Aeronautical and General Engineering Branch of the Sri Lanka Air Force on 17 October 1996.
During his service tenure, he was entrusted with several key appointments of national and strategic importance. He has served as the Officer Commanding Maintenance of No 1 Flying Training Wing, Staff Officer appointments at the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering. Served for three years as the Technical Training Manager of the Helitours Technical Training Centre, functioning as a Form-4 Appointment Holder in compliance with IS-147 regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.
He also served as the Commanding Officer of Research and Development Wing, General Engineering Wing and Trade Training School Ekala, Director Quality Assurance and as the Director General General Engineering before assuming duties as the Director General Aeronautical Engineering in the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Prasanka Martino possesses extensive experience in both line and base maintenance management across multiple aviation platforms and holding aircraft maintenance license with respect to Category B1.1, B1.3, C and type rating in MA60 aircraft. His professional expertise includes continuing airworthiness management, engineering change management, safety management systems, quality assurance audits, human resource management, and coordination with Original Equipment Manufacturers, National aviation authorities, and International stakeholders.
In addition to aviation engineering, he has over ten years of experience in automotive engineering and ground support equipment maintenance management, along with industrial exposure in non-destructive testing and workshop maintenance operations. His leadership has been instrumental in managing multidisciplinary professional teams while maintaining the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
His academic journey started with the earning of Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and multiple postgraduate and executive qualifications in project management, human resource management, and knowledge management. He is a Fellow member of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (UK), member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (UK) and holds several professional memberships and certifications, including ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor qualification. Moreover he is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer recognized by the Engineering Council of Sri Lanka and a Chartered Aeronautical Engineer registered with the Engineering Council of the United Kingdom. For his distinguished and exemplary service to the nation, he has been awarded with “Uththama Seva Padakkama.”