AIR VICE MARSHAL OANS FERNANDO BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
11:35pm on Friday 27th October 2023
Air Vice Marshal OANS Fernando RSP, USP, MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, MDS, MHRM, BSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, ndc, psc bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force, today (27 October 2023), after completing more than 34 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he held the appointment of Director General Welfare, at Air Force Headquarters Colombo.
Air Vice Marshal Fernando made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, at his office, yesterday (26 October 2023). The Commander commended him for his dedicated service rendered to the nation and to the Sri Lanka Air Force in particular. The Commander also emphasized that he was one of the key stakeholders during times of need for our motherland and that his heroic history will remain etched in the annals of the SLAF. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Fernando exchanged mementos to mark the occasion.
Air Vice Marshal Fernando made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, at his office, yesterday (26 October 2023). The Commander commended him for his dedicated service rendered to the nation and to the Sri Lanka Air Force in particular. The Commander also emphasized that he was one of the key stakeholders during times of need for our motherland and that his heroic history will remain etched in the annals of the SLAF. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Fernando exchanged mementos to mark the occasion.
In recognition of the outstanding service rendered to the nation, a Farewell Dinner was graciously hosted, yesterday in honour of Air Vice Marshal Fernando along with his beloved spouse with the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, along with Chairperson SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Enoka Rajapaksa and the members of the Air Force Board of Management. This momentous occasion took place at the Air Force Headquarters Officers' Mess in Colombo. Afterwards, today evening he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing from Air Force Headquarters for the last time.
Air Vice Marshal Suharshie Fernando was born on 29 October 1968. He is a proud product of St. Peter’s College, Colombo, where he excelled in cricket, rugby, and athletics during his school career. On 05 April, 1989, he joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an officer cadet for the 20th intake in the Operations Air Branch. Having undergone his Basic Combat Training at SLAF Diyatalawa, Basic Administration Course at SLAF Academy China Bay, and his Basic Air Traffic Control Officer's Course at No. 1 Flying Training Wing, SLAF Base Anuradhapura, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Operations Air Branch on 24 July 1991 and elevated to his present rank on the 17 April 2023.
During his service career, he has been entrusted with many key appointments as the Senior Air Traffic Control Office (SATCO) at a number of SLAF Bases and Stations, commanding the No. 1 Air Defense Radar Squadron at SLAF Base Katunayake, the No. 5 Air Defense Radar Squadron at SLAF Station Palavi, and the Air Defense Command and Control Centre at SLAF Station Mirigama. Further, he has commanded Sir Lanka Air Force Station Palavi, Sir Lanka Air Force Station Katukurunda, and Sri Lanka Air Force Station Mirigama. He has also served as a Directing Staff and the Head of Training Team (HOTT) at the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Sapugaskanda from 2012 to 2016. Further, he has also performed duties as the Deputy Overall Operations Commander Air Defence, Command Agro Officer and held the appointment of Chief Air Traffic Controlling Officer (CATCO) and lastly he was assigned with duties as the Director General Welfare of Sri Lanka Air Force.
For his individual acts of gallantry and bravery, he has been decorated with the “Rana Sura Padakkama” and for his distinguishing and exemplary service, he has been awarded the “Uttama Seva Padakkama” and the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal in addition to the campaign and operational service medals.
Apart from being a well-decorated officer, Air Vice Marshal Fernando also has achieved many milestones in his academic career including the Junior Commanders Staff Course, the Basic Air Traffic Control Officer's Course, the Commanding Officer Orientation Capsule Course in India, the Basic Control and Reporting Course in Bangladesh, the Command Orientation Course in Pakistan, the Cooperative Cope Thunder Course in the USA, and the Instructor Technique Course in Malaysia. He graduated from the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda, in 2010. He holds a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies (MDS) from the University of Kelaniya, a Master of Science Degree (Defence Studies) in Management from Kothalawala Defence University, a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Colombo, and a Bachelor of Science Degree (Defence Studies) in Management from Kothalawala Defence University. He has completed the courses "Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management" from the Open University of Colombo and the "Preliminary Examination of the Fire Engineers Institute" in the United Kingdom. Further, he graduated from the National Defence College, Sri Lanka in 2022.
In addition, he has represented SLAF in Rugby. Moreover, he was the first Secretary of SLAF Taekwondo, Secretary and Chairman of SLAF Cricket, and lastly held the appointment of Chairman of SLAF Boxing. Throughout his tenure of service, he has showcased his professional knowledge and leadership skills and has proven that he is a detail oriented, results driven individual who also encourages and inspires his subordinates. He has extended his invaluable and unblemished services to the SLAF for 34 Years and 06 Months.
During his service career, he has been entrusted with many key appointments as the Senior Air Traffic Control Office (SATCO) at a number of SLAF Bases and Stations, commanding the No. 1 Air Defense Radar Squadron at SLAF Base Katunayake, the No. 5 Air Defense Radar Squadron at SLAF Station Palavi, and the Air Defense Command and Control Centre at SLAF Station Mirigama. Further, he has commanded Sir Lanka Air Force Station Palavi, Sir Lanka Air Force Station Katukurunda, and Sri Lanka Air Force Station Mirigama. He has also served as a Directing Staff and the Head of Training Team (HOTT) at the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Sapugaskanda from 2012 to 2016. Further, he has also performed duties as the Deputy Overall Operations Commander Air Defence, Command Agro Officer and held the appointment of Chief Air Traffic Controlling Officer (CATCO) and lastly he was assigned with duties as the Director General Welfare of Sri Lanka Air Force.
For his individual acts of gallantry and bravery, he has been decorated with the “Rana Sura Padakkama” and for his distinguishing and exemplary service, he has been awarded the “Uttama Seva Padakkama” and the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal in addition to the campaign and operational service medals.
Apart from being a well-decorated officer, Air Vice Marshal Fernando also has achieved many milestones in his academic career including the Junior Commanders Staff Course, the Basic Air Traffic Control Officer's Course, the Commanding Officer Orientation Capsule Course in India, the Basic Control and Reporting Course in Bangladesh, the Command Orientation Course in Pakistan, the Cooperative Cope Thunder Course in the USA, and the Instructor Technique Course in Malaysia. He graduated from the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda, in 2010. He holds a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies (MDS) from the University of Kelaniya, a Master of Science Degree (Defence Studies) in Management from Kothalawala Defence University, a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Colombo, and a Bachelor of Science Degree (Defence Studies) in Management from Kothalawala Defence University. He has completed the courses "Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management" from the Open University of Colombo and the "Preliminary Examination of the Fire Engineers Institute" in the United Kingdom. Further, he graduated from the National Defence College, Sri Lanka in 2022.
In addition, he has represented SLAF in Rugby. Moreover, he was the first Secretary of SLAF Taekwondo, Secretary and Chairman of SLAF Cricket, and lastly held the appointment of Chairman of SLAF Boxing. Throughout his tenure of service, he has showcased his professional knowledge and leadership skills and has proven that he is a detail oriented, results driven individual who also encourages and inspires his subordinates. He has extended his invaluable and unblemished services to the SLAF for 34 Years and 06 Months.
