Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force WDRMJ Goonetileke was born on 28
February 1956. He completed his education at St. Peter's College,
Bambalapitiya where he excelled both in studies and in sports. He is the
elder son of the 5th Commander of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal
Harry Goonetileke.
Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Goonetileke
joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the General
Duties Pilot Branch on 13 January 1978. On successful completion of
flying training, he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on 24
August 1979.
During his illustrious career of 28 years, he has
held a number of command, operational and administrative appointments.
Having logged many flying hours both in fixed wing and rotary wing
aircrafts, he served in the capacity of an operational pilot as the
Commanding Officer of No 3 Maritime Squadron and the Commanding Officer
of No. 4 Helicopter Wing. He took up senior operational command
appointments as the Zonal Commander Northern Zone and Zonal Commander
Eastern Zone.
He has commanded Air Force Bases in Katunayake,
Anuradhapura and China Bay. He served a very successful tenure as the
Director of Operations / Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force, before
being appointed as the Chief of Staff. He took over office as the 12th
Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force on 11th June 2006.
On 18
May 2009, with the successful conclusion of the Humanitarian Operations,
he was promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal by His Excellency the
President in appreciation of the valuable service rendered. His
promotion was very significant as he was the only Air Force Commander to
be promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal whilst on active service.
On
5 October 2009 he was appointed the Chairman of the Civil Aviation
Authority of Sri Lanka by His Excellency the President, in addition to
his duties as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Further, he was
also additionally entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of over
looking the office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
Marshal of
the Sri Lanka Air Force Goonetileke graduated from the Air Command and
Staff College, Air University, Alabama, USA in 1994 and had also
attended the prestigious National Defence College in Pakistan in 2001.
In
recognition of his distinguished service career he has been awarded the
“Vishishta Seva Padakkama” and "Uttama Seva Padakkama". He has been
decorated with the "Rana Wickrama Padakkama" on two occasions for
bravery displayed in the face of the enemy. Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air
Force Goonetileke, the 12th Commander of the SLAF, relinquished Command
on 27th February 2011.
On the 19th of September 2019, Air Chief
Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke was promoted by His Excellency the President
to the Honorary Rank of Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Goonetileke is married to Nelun and they are blessed with son Rehan and daughter Ronali.