NEW DIRECTOR GENERAL WELFARE OF THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE APPOINTED
1:11pm on Friday 8th November 2024
Air Vice Marshal Thushara Sirimanne was appointed as the Director General Welfare in the Sri Lanka Air Force, effective from 07 October 2024. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa officially handed over the letter of appointment to Air Vice Marshal Thushara Sirmanne at the Air Force Headquarters yesterday (07 November 2024) and conveyed his best wishes to the newly appointed Director General Welfare.
Air Vice Marshal Thushara Sirimanne is a product of Ananda College, Colombo and joined the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1993 as an Officer Cadet of No. 26th Intake.
Following his successful completion of Basic Combat Training at SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa and both Basic and Advanced Administration courses at Combat Training School – SLAF Base China Bay, he commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Administrative Branch on 17 April 1995.
Throughout his exemplary career, Air Vice Marshal Sirimanne has gradually advanced through the ranks, assuming key Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. His roles have included Staff Officer appointments at Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters, Directing Staff at Defence Services Command and Staff College Sapugaskanda and Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Weerawila. Additionally, he has served as Director Accounts Administration at the Directorate of Administration, Director Doctrine and Policy Development at the Directorate of Planning and is currently the Provost Marshal, in addition to his key appointment as Director General Welfare.
Air Vice Marshal Sirimanne’s exceptional service has been recognized with the award of the Uththama Sewa Padakkama (USP) for his unblemished service, along with Poorna Bhumi Medal, Long Service Medal, Riviresa Campaign Medal, North and East Operation Medal and Liberation of North and East Medal and many other service medals for his flawless conduct and operational contributions.
In terms of academic achievements, he holds a Master of Defence Studies degree from the University of Kelaniya, a Master of Public Management degree from the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration, and a Master of Conflict Resolution degree from the University of Colombo, with a merit pass. His academic credentials are further strengthened by a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B) from the Open University of Sri Lanka, a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations from the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies with a merit pass and an Advanced National Diploma in Human Resource Management from the National Institute of Business Management. He is currently studying for a Master of Philosophy degree at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.
In addition to his extensive academic qualifications, Air Vice Marshal Sirimanne is a legal professional, having qualified as an Attorney-at-Law, Notary Public and Commissioner for Oaths. He is also a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and holds the membership of the Institute of Management of Sri Lanka.
Further Air Vice Marshal Sirimanne also holds the appoinment as the Chairman of Taekwondo in the Air Force Sports Council, contributing to the advancement of Taekwondo within the Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Thushara Sirimanne is a product of Ananda College, Colombo and joined the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1993 as an Officer Cadet of No. 26th Intake.
Following his successful completion of Basic Combat Training at SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa and both Basic and Advanced Administration courses at Combat Training School – SLAF Base China Bay, he commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Administrative Branch on 17 April 1995.
Throughout his exemplary career, Air Vice Marshal Sirimanne has gradually advanced through the ranks, assuming key Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. His roles have included Staff Officer appointments at Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters, Directing Staff at Defence Services Command and Staff College Sapugaskanda and Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Weerawila. Additionally, he has served as Director Accounts Administration at the Directorate of Administration, Director Doctrine and Policy Development at the Directorate of Planning and is currently the Provost Marshal, in addition to his key appointment as Director General Welfare.
Air Vice Marshal Sirimanne’s exceptional service has been recognized with the award of the Uththama Sewa Padakkama (USP) for his unblemished service, along with Poorna Bhumi Medal, Long Service Medal, Riviresa Campaign Medal, North and East Operation Medal and Liberation of North and East Medal and many other service medals for his flawless conduct and operational contributions.
In terms of academic achievements, he holds a Master of Defence Studies degree from the University of Kelaniya, a Master of Public Management degree from the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration, and a Master of Conflict Resolution degree from the University of Colombo, with a merit pass. His academic credentials are further strengthened by a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B) from the Open University of Sri Lanka, a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations from the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies with a merit pass and an Advanced National Diploma in Human Resource Management from the National Institute of Business Management. He is currently studying for a Master of Philosophy degree at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.
In addition to his extensive academic qualifications, Air Vice Marshal Sirimanne is a legal professional, having qualified as an Attorney-at-Law, Notary Public and Commissioner for Oaths. He is also a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and holds the membership of the Institute of Management of Sri Lanka.
Further Air Vice Marshal Sirimanne also holds the appoinment as the Chairman of Taekwondo in the Air Force Sports Council, contributing to the advancement of Taekwondo within the Air Force.