AIR VICE MARSHAL WARUNA GUNAWARDANA BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE
7:37pm on Saturday 13th January 2024
Air Vice Marshal Waruna Gunawardana RSP, USP,
MDS, MIExpE, ndc (Ban), psc bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force today
(13 January 2024), after completing more than 32 years of dedicated
service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he held the
appointment of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air
Force.
Air Vice Marshal Gunawardana made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, at his office on 09 January 2024. 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 Gunawardana exchanged mementos to mark the occasion. Afterward, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour yesterday (12 January 2024) by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing from Air Force Headquarters at Defence Headquarters Complex for the last time. In recognition of the outstanding service rendered to the nation, a Farewell Dinner was graciously hosted in honour of Air Vice Marshal Gunawardana with the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, 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.
Air Vice Marshal Gunawardana commenced his career in the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1988 as an Officer Cadet of the 19th Officer Cadets Intake. He followed the initial combat training at Sri Lanka Air Force Diyatalawa and then completed the advanced training as a Regiment Officer Cadet. On completion of his training, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1990 and was posted to the Regiment Wing of Sri Lanka Air Force Base Vavuniya where he served for 5 years. In 1995, he successfully completed the training on Explosive Ordnance Disposal at the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training School which was then at Sri Lanka Air Force Station Sigiriya.
During his past tenure, he has held many key appointments such as, Commanding Officer of the Regiment Wing Wanni, where he played an active role in conducting several countermine operations and commanded several demining operations in heavily mined areas in the Northern Province. Thereafter, he was posted to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training School, Sigiriya as the Chief Instructor, where he pioneered in introducing particular training to Sri Lanka Navy while assisting to establish the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Arm. He commanded Sri Lanka Air Force Station Palavi and rendered his service voluntarily by conducting a series of Mine Risk Education for Civilians and Children who were at the refugee camps in the Northern area as a support to the UN Mine Risk Education Programme. Further, he also held appointment of the Staff Officer III at the Directorate of Operations. In addition, he was appointed as the Chief Explosive Officer in the Air Force. In 2015 he held the appointment of Staff Officer Ground II at Directorate of Operations, Air Force Headquarters. Subsequently, he has been commanded many SLAF establishments such as Colombo, Diyatalawa and Ampara. Gradually, he took over the duties as the Deputy Director of Ground Operations, Director General Ground Operations at Air Force Headquarters before being appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Apart from being a well decorated officer, Air Vice Marshal Gunawardana also has achieved many milestones in his academic career including Junior Command and Staff Course in India, Masters in Defence Studies from the University of Kelaniya, Higher Defence Management in India, Humanitarian Demining Course in Pakistan, Aircraft Bomb Maintenance Course in Pakistan, Crisis Management Course at Hawaii, USA. Further, he has graduated from National Defence College, Bangladesh earning the distinguished title of "ndc". In addition, he is a member of the Institute of Explosive Engineers in United Kingdom.
During his military career, he has been honoured with 'Rana Sura Padakkama' for the distinguished conduct in face of the enemy, Uththama Sewa Padakkama for exceptional ability and unblemished conduct. The other medals that was awarded to him are ‘Purna Bhumi Padakkama’, ‘North and East Operations Medal’, ‘50th Anniversary (SLAF) Medal’, ‘Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal’, ‘Rivirasa Campaign Service Medal’, ‘50th Independence Anniversary Medal’, North and East Humanitarian Operational Medals for exemplary leadership and distinguished service.
Apart from his professional ground combat career, in sports he was keen on Rugby and Soccer at club level. He was a member of the Sri Lanka Air Force Sport Council and held the appointment of Chairman SLAF Shooting. He was also the former President of National Rifle Association of Sri Lanka.
Air Vice Marshal Gunawardana made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, at his office on 09 January 2024. 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 Gunawardana exchanged mementos to mark the occasion. Afterward, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour yesterday (12 January 2024) by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing from Air Force Headquarters at Defence Headquarters Complex for the last time. In recognition of the outstanding service rendered to the nation, a Farewell Dinner was graciously hosted in honour of Air Vice Marshal Gunawardana with the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, 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.
Air Vice Marshal Gunawardana commenced his career in the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1988 as an Officer Cadet of the 19th Officer Cadets Intake. He followed the initial combat training at Sri Lanka Air Force Diyatalawa and then completed the advanced training as a Regiment Officer Cadet. On completion of his training, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1990 and was posted to the Regiment Wing of Sri Lanka Air Force Base Vavuniya where he served for 5 years. In 1995, he successfully completed the training on Explosive Ordnance Disposal at the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training School which was then at Sri Lanka Air Force Station Sigiriya.
During his past tenure, he has held many key appointments such as, Commanding Officer of the Regiment Wing Wanni, where he played an active role in conducting several countermine operations and commanded several demining operations in heavily mined areas in the Northern Province. Thereafter, he was posted to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training School, Sigiriya as the Chief Instructor, where he pioneered in introducing particular training to Sri Lanka Navy while assisting to establish the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Arm. He commanded Sri Lanka Air Force Station Palavi and rendered his service voluntarily by conducting a series of Mine Risk Education for Civilians and Children who were at the refugee camps in the Northern area as a support to the UN Mine Risk Education Programme. Further, he also held appointment of the Staff Officer III at the Directorate of Operations. In addition, he was appointed as the Chief Explosive Officer in the Air Force. In 2015 he held the appointment of Staff Officer Ground II at Directorate of Operations, Air Force Headquarters. Subsequently, he has been commanded many SLAF establishments such as Colombo, Diyatalawa and Ampara. Gradually, he took over the duties as the Deputy Director of Ground Operations, Director General Ground Operations at Air Force Headquarters before being appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Apart from being a well decorated officer, Air Vice Marshal Gunawardana also has achieved many milestones in his academic career including Junior Command and Staff Course in India, Masters in Defence Studies from the University of Kelaniya, Higher Defence Management in India, Humanitarian Demining Course in Pakistan, Aircraft Bomb Maintenance Course in Pakistan, Crisis Management Course at Hawaii, USA. Further, he has graduated from National Defence College, Bangladesh earning the distinguished title of "ndc". In addition, he is a member of the Institute of Explosive Engineers in United Kingdom.
During his military career, he has been honoured with 'Rana Sura Padakkama' for the distinguished conduct in face of the enemy, Uththama Sewa Padakkama for exceptional ability and unblemished conduct. The other medals that was awarded to him are ‘Purna Bhumi Padakkama’, ‘North and East Operations Medal’, ‘50th Anniversary (SLAF) Medal’, ‘Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal’, ‘Rivirasa Campaign Service Medal’, ‘50th Independence Anniversary Medal’, North and East Humanitarian Operational Medals for exemplary leadership and distinguished service.
Apart from his professional ground combat career, in sports he was keen on Rugby and Soccer at club level. He was a member of the Sri Lanka Air Force Sport Council and held the appointment of Chairman SLAF Shooting. He was also the former President of National Rifle Association of Sri Lanka.
