New Sri Lanka Air Force Commander to be appointed

The current Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke is to retire on Monday, February 28, from 33 years of exemplary service to the country.

The current Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Logistics, Air Vice Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama is to succeed Goonetileke as the 13th Commander of the SLAF.

Upon his retirement Goonetileke is to continue his duties as the Chief of Defence Staff, a post he was holding in an acting capacity.

According to the SLAF, Air Chief Marshal Goonetileke joined the 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.

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed Goonetileke as the 12th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force on 11 June 2006.