AIR VICE MARSHAL ASITHA HETTIARACHCHI BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi, USP, Pg Dip (Def Mgt), EMSc (Information Security), bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) yesterday (20 October 2026), upon completion of 32 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he served as the Director General Electronics and Computer Engineering of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Prior to his retirement, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi 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 Asitha Hettiarachchi for his distinguished and dedicated service to the nation and the Sri Lanka Air Force throughout a career spanning more than three decades. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi exchanged mementos to mark the occasion.
Subsequently, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi 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.
Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi joined 28th Intake of Officer Cadets at the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy, China Bay, on 9th August 1994 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Logistics Branch on 8th May 1996. In this capacity, He rendered distinguished service as a Load Master, accruing invaluable operational flying hours on the AN-32 aircraft during pivotal periods of conflict. With the dawn of the information technology era within the SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi emerged as an idealistic leader. Leveraging his expertise, he played a pioneering role in the establishment of the Information Technology Engineering Branch in 2000, significantly advancing the Air Force’s technological capabilities.
Throughout his career, he pursued extensive professional and academic development. He completed the Junior Command and Staff Course at SLAF Academy China Bay and earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Defence Strategic Management. He subsequently obtained an executive Master Degree in Information Security from Asia e University, Malaysia.
Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi held numerous key appointments throughout his distinguished career in the Sri Lanka Air Force, encompassing command, training and staff responsibilities. He commenced his service as Officer-in-Charge of the Information Technology Division, where his dedication and professionalism earned him command of No. 1 Information Technology Wing at SLAF Base Ratmalana. There, he spearheaded the development of automation systems, further modernizing SLAF operations. As Commanding Officer of No. 2 Information Technology Wing at the SLAF Trade Training School, Ekala, he was influential in developing and revitalizing the SLAF’s data network backbone, ensuring robust and secure communications across the Air Force.
At Air Force Headquarters, he held several important appointments, including Staff Officer I and subsequently Senior Staff Officer in Information Technology at Air Force Headquarters. Air Vice Marshal Asith Hettiarachchi also served as Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Katukurunda, where he played a dynamic role in the research, development and operational deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), contributing to the SLAF’s strategic capabilities in modern warfare.
In 2023, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi was appointed as the Director of Information Technology for the Sri Lanka Air Force. In this esteemed role, he has been at the forefront of enhancing information security and strengthening the cyber security infrastructure of the Air Force, ensuring its resilience in the digital age.
Following his appointment as the Director General Electronics and Computer Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi led the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) project under the guidance of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. He also served as a member of the Subcommittee on Online Safety, Cyber security and Well-being, with both initiatives operating under the National Digital Task Force chaired by the Prime Minister.
Beyond his operational and technical achievements, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi also served as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Air Force Rowing and Kayaking Association, promoting sportsmanship and camaraderie within the Force.
Prior to his retirement, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi 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 Asitha Hettiarachchi for his distinguished and dedicated service to the nation and the Sri Lanka Air Force throughout a career spanning more than three decades. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi exchanged mementos to mark the occasion.
Subsequently, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi 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.
Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi joined 28th Intake of Officer Cadets at the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy, China Bay, on 9th August 1994 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Logistics Branch on 8th May 1996. In this capacity, He rendered distinguished service as a Load Master, accruing invaluable operational flying hours on the AN-32 aircraft during pivotal periods of conflict. With the dawn of the information technology era within the SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi emerged as an idealistic leader. Leveraging his expertise, he played a pioneering role in the establishment of the Information Technology Engineering Branch in 2000, significantly advancing the Air Force’s technological capabilities.
Throughout his career, he pursued extensive professional and academic development. He completed the Junior Command and Staff Course at SLAF Academy China Bay and earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Defence Strategic Management. He subsequently obtained an executive Master Degree in Information Security from Asia e University, Malaysia.
Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi held numerous key appointments throughout his distinguished career in the Sri Lanka Air Force, encompassing command, training and staff responsibilities. He commenced his service as Officer-in-Charge of the Information Technology Division, where his dedication and professionalism earned him command of No. 1 Information Technology Wing at SLAF Base Ratmalana. There, he spearheaded the development of automation systems, further modernizing SLAF operations. As Commanding Officer of No. 2 Information Technology Wing at the SLAF Trade Training School, Ekala, he was influential in developing and revitalizing the SLAF’s data network backbone, ensuring robust and secure communications across the Air Force.
At Air Force Headquarters, he held several important appointments, including Staff Officer I and subsequently Senior Staff Officer in Information Technology at Air Force Headquarters. Air Vice Marshal Asith Hettiarachchi also served as Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Katukurunda, where he played a dynamic role in the research, development and operational deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), contributing to the SLAF’s strategic capabilities in modern warfare.
In 2023, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi was appointed as the Director of Information Technology for the Sri Lanka Air Force. In this esteemed role, he has been at the forefront of enhancing information security and strengthening the cyber security infrastructure of the Air Force, ensuring its resilience in the digital age.
Following his appointment as the Director General Electronics and Computer Engineering, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi led the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) project under the guidance of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. He also served as a member of the Subcommittee on Online Safety, Cyber security and Well-being, with both initiatives operating under the National Digital Task Force chaired by the Prime Minister.
Beyond his operational and technical achievements, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi also served as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Air Force Rowing and Kayaking Association, promoting sportsmanship and camaraderie within the Force.
In recognition of his distinguished and dedicated service to the nation, Air Vice Marshal Asitha Hettiarachchi was awarded the Uththama Seva Padakkama (USP).
Farewell call on
Guard of honour
Dining out
