RWP, RSP, USP, MCPS, MDS, MHRM, MSSD, BA (Def Stu), MITD (SL), AMCIPM, ndc (Ban), psc

Air Vice Marshal Vajira Senadheera is a distinguished alumnus of Bandaranayake College, Gampaha. He commenced his military journey on 17 October 1993, having enlisted as part of the 11th Officer Cadet Intake at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy. Upon successful completion of his initial Officer Cadet Training, he pursued the Basic Administration Course at the Air Force Academy, China Bay, followed by the Advanced Regiment Officer Cadet Course at the Combat Training School, Diyatalawa. He was commissioned into the Administrative Regiment Branch as a Flying Officer on 17 October 1996, marking the beginning of a distinguished career in the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Throughout his career, Air Vice Marshal Senadheera has undergone extensive local and international military training. Notable among these are the Basic Airborne Course in Pakistan in 2000, the Officers Intelligence and Security Course, and the Junior Command and Staff Course conducted in Sri Lanka in 2003. In 2005, he attended the Security Forces Officer Course in the United States and the Junior Commander Course in India. In 2009, he was selected to represent Sri Lanka in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti. In 2011, he graduated from the Defence Services Command and Staff College, earning the prestigious titles of ‘psc’ along with the Golden Owl and Golden Pen awards for academic excellence.

His academic pursuits have been equally impressive. In 2017, he attended the Training of Trainers Course (Aviation Unit) in China. In 2022, he completed the Senior Commander Course at the Army War College, MHOW, in India. Most recently, in 2024, he successfully completed the National Defence Course at the National Defence College in Bangladesh, where he was awarded the Best Research Paper among 33 officers from 18 countries.

Air Vice Marshal Senadheera has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to professional growth and excellence in service. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Defence Studies and two postgraduate diplomas: the National Diploma in Training and Development from the Sri Lanka Institute of Training and Development, completed in 2013, and the Diploma in Senior Level Defence Management from Devi Ahilya University, Indore, completed in 2022. He is the holder of four Master's degrees: a Master of Defence Studies from the University of Kelaniya; a Master of Human Resource Management and a Master of Conflict and Peace Studies from the University of Colombo; and a Master of Social Science and Security Development from the Bangladesh University of Professionals. As a prolific academic, he has presented numerous research papers and articles across various local and international journals, symposiums, discussions and conferences.

His dedication, bravery and exemplary service have been recognised with numerous prestigious awards. These include the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for acts of exceptional bravery in combat. He has also been honoured with the Uththama Sewa Padakkama (USP) and the Long Service Medal, reflecting his unwavering commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

Air Vice Marshal Senadheera holds Associate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management and is a Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Training and Development.

Over the course of his career, he has held several key appointments that underscore his leadership and operational expertise. These include serving as Officer Commanding Training at the Combat Training School in Diyatalawa, and as a Directing Staff member at the Defence Services Command and Staff College. He has also served as Commanding Officer of No. 28 Regiment Wing at SLAF Station Colombo, as Staff Officer for Foreign Affairs at Air Force Headquarters, and as Detachment Commander at the Ex-LTTE Rehabilitation Centre in Trikonamadu. He has commanded multiple SLAF stations, including Colombo, Mullaitivu and Palaly, and has led No. 45 VIP Protection Wing and served as the Command Recruiting Officer. Furthermore, he served as Commanding Officer of the Combat Training School in Diyatalawa and later held the appointment of Director Ground Operations Personnel and Planning at the Directorate of Ground Operations and the Director General Constructions Engineering before being appointed as the Director General Ground Operations

Apart from his military career, he also held the appointment of Chairman Air Force Weightlifting, and presently serves as the Chairman Air Force Karate, demonstrating his continued contribution to sports development within the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Vajira Senadheera is married to Mrs. Thilini Senadheera, and they are blessed with two daughters, Navedeni Oketha and Yenuli Okithma.