Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force and acting Chief of Defence Staff was conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Honorary Doctorate) by the University of Kelaniya this morning (20 November 2009).

The University of Kelaniya conferred the title on Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke in recognition of his services rendered to the country in safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereignty and defeating the LTTE thereby assisting in restoring peace and harmony among all communities in Sri Lankan.

The title was conferred by, Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Most Ven. Valamitiyawe Kusaladhamma thero.

The awarding ceremony took place with the 48th Convocation of the University of Kelaniya held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) attended by distinguished guests and invitees.

Meanwhile 45 tri service Officers (inclusive of 20 Air Force Officers) from course 01 and 02 of the Defence Services Command & Staff College also were conferred with their Master of Defence Studies from the University of Kelaniya at this ceremony . The names of the 20 SLAF personnel are as follows

Group Captain            Rohan Hemasinghe
Group Captain            Chanakya Senarathna
Group Captain            Lakshman Ranathunga
Group Captain            AH Wijesiri
Group Captain            Sanjaya De Silva   
Group Captain            Saman Lewangama
Group Captain            Sunil Karunathne
Group Captain            Andrew Wijesuriya
Group Captain            Dushyantha Rathnayaka
Group Captain            Leonard Rodrigo
Group Captain            Lanka Kodippiliy
Group Captain            Janaka Amarasinghe
Wing Commander     Rasika Bellange
Wing Commander     Kapila Wanigasooriya
Wing Commander     Senka Dharmawardana
Wing Commander     Manuja  werallagama
Wing Commander     Priyantha Ranasinghe
Wing Commander     Ravindra Liyanagamage
Squadron Leader       Gihan Senavirathne