The 20th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe, is a distinguished military officer born in Kandy. He is a proud product of St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy, where he laid the foundation for his illustrious career. Driven by a deep commitment to serving his nation, he joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet of the 24th Intake in 1991. After rigorous training, he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer in the General Duties Pilot Branch in 1993.
This young officer underwent Flying Training on the SF-260 Warrior and was initially posted to the Transport Wing for fixed-wing advanced training. However, due to an operational demand for helicopter pilots, he transitioned to rotary-wing training on Bell 206, 212, and 412 helicopters in 1993. Successfully qualifying as a helicopter pilot, he was posted to the Bell 212 Utility Helicopter Squadron, where he earned his captaincy and played an instrumental role in flying operations in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Notably, in 1995, he volunteered for flying duties in the heavily clogged area of Palaly, demonstrating his strong courage and commitment to duty. Additionally, in 1997, his exceptional skill and composure were evident when he assisted the captain in successfully performing a forced landing of an MI-24 (CH 617) helicopter near Puliyankulam, saving the lives of the aircrew. Both acts earned him significant recognition, reflecting his capability under pressure.
In 1998, Air Marshal Edirisinghe successfully completed the Helicopter Instructor Training Course at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, earning the prestigious title of Qualified Helicopter Instructor (qhi). He further honed his skills by attaining an A2 Helicopter Instructor qualification from the Central Flying School of the Royal Air Force, amassing over 3,000 flying hours on helicopter instructional duties. In total, he has accumulated more than 7,000 flying hours on helicopters, specializing in Instrument Rating operations and excelling as an Instrument Rating Examiner in the helicopter stream. Notably, he is an expert in Night Vision Goggle (NVG) helicopter flying and is also qualified in advanced navigation operations.
His academic achievements are equally impressive. He is a graduate of the Air University, US Air Force, in Alabama, where he completed his Staff Course with distinction. He also holds the distinguished title of "fndu" from the National Defence University in China as a fellow graduate and has completed numerous other foreign training programs in countries such as Bangladesh, India and Singapore. In addition, he served as the Defence Attaché at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Pakistan in 2011, representing the country with distinction.
In 2003, Air Marshal Edirisinghe joined the VIP/VVIP Flying Squadron as a VVIP pilot, specializing in the Bell 412 and 412 EP helicopters. Throughout his career, he has held numerous significant appointments, including Officer Commanding Training and Operations in several flying squadrons and he has commanded No. 4 in SLAF Base Ratmalana, No. 6 in SLAF Base Anuradhapura and No. 7 in SLAF Base Hingurakgoda Helicopter Squadrons. Further, as a senior officer, Air Marshal Edirisinghe served as the Base Commander of SLAF Base Anuradhapura and SLAF Base Hingurakgoda. His commitment to training and operational excellence led to his appointment as the Commandant of the SLAF Academy China Bay, where he concurrently served as Acting Air Commander for Eastern Air Command. In 2022, he held pivotal roles as Director Training and Director Air Operations. Subsequently, as the Director General Training, the Director General Air Operations and ultimately, the Director General Planning before being appointed as the 20th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Air Marshal Edirisinghe has been honoured with some of the most prestigious military decorations in recognition of his exceptional valour, remarkable service, and unwavering dedication to duty. Among these accolades, he has been conferred the distinguished "Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya" for acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of a military nature of a high order, voluntarily performed in active service without regard for personal safety. This honour also reflects his meritorious acts of a human nature of a high order, including saving lives during incidents such as drowning, fire and rescue operations and calamities. He has further been awarded the "Rana Wickrama Padakkama" for acts of bravery in the face of the enemy performed voluntarily. Moreover, he has been decorated with the "Rana Sura Padakkama" on three occasions, evidence to his distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy. In recognition of his exceptional service and devotion to duty, he has also been bestowed with the "Uttama Seva Padakkama," awarded for valuable service marked by exceptional ability, merit and exemplary conduct.
Beyond his military career, Air Marshal Edirisinghe is a passionate advisor for sports within the Air Force. He has served as a member of the Sports Advisory Committee in the Air Force and the Chairman of Sri Lanka Air Force Hockey. Air Marshal Edirisinghe is married to Krishanthi.
Career timeline -
• 1991 - Joined as an Officer Cadet in Intake No. 24
• 1993 - Commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer
• 1994 - Operational pilot – No. 04 Helicopter Squadron
• 1996 - Operational pilot – No. 07 Helicopter Squadron
• 1997 - Operational pilot – No. 09 Attack Helicopter Squadron
• 2001 - Operational pilot – No. 04 Helicopter Squadron
• 2002 – Operational pilot – No. 09 Attack Helicopter Squadron
• 2003 – Operational pilot – No. 04 Helicopter Squadron
• 2006 – Officer Commanding Operations - No. 07 Helicopter Squadron
• 2008 – Commanding Officer - No. 07 Helicopter Squadron
• 2009 – Operational pilot – No. 04 Helicopter Squadron
• 2011 – Commanding Officer - No. 04 Helicopter Squadron
• 2011 – Defence Attaché - Sri Lanka High Commission, Pakistan
• 2014 – Base Commander – Sri Lanka Air Force Base Anuradhapura
• 2017 – Base Commander – Sri Lanka Air Force Base Hingurakgoda
• 2020 – Commandant – Sri Lanka Air Force Academy China Bay
• 2022 – Director General Training, Sri Lanka Air Force
• 2023 – Director General Air Operations, Sri Lanka Air Force
• 2024 – Director General Planning, Sri Lanka Air Force
Education / Qualifications / Distinctions -
• Branch Training - No 01 Flying Training Wing, SLAF Base Anuradhapura
• Junior Command and Staff Course, Junior Command and Staff College, SLAF Academy China Bay
• Flight Safety Officers’ Course, Bangladesh
• Junior Commanders’ Course, India
• Combined Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner/Command Examiner Course, India
• Basic NVG Conversion on MI- 17 Helicopter, India
• Search and Rescue Administrators Course, Singapore
• Air Command and Staff Course, United States of America
• Flying Wing Commander Course, China
• Simulator Training on MI- 17 Helicopter, Lithuania
• Commanding Officers’ Orientation Course, India
• Bell 212 Simulator Training, India
• Simulator Training on MI-17 Helicopter, Bangladesh
• Defence and Strategic Studies Course, China
Decorations and Awards -
• Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya
• Rana Wickrama Padakkama
• Rana Sura Padakkama and three Bars
• Uttama Seva Padakkama
• Videsha Seva Padakkama
• Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary medal
• Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal and clasp
• Sevabhimani Padakkama
• Seva Padakkama
• 50th Independence celebration medal
• East Humanitarian Campaign medal
• North Humanitarian medal
• North and East Operations medal and clasps
• Purna Bhumi Padakkama
• “Operation Riviresa” Campaign medal
• 75th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal
