AIR VICE MARSHAL INDIKA WICKRAMASINGHE ASSUMES DUTIES AS THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF GENERAL SIR JOHN KOTELAWALA DEFENCE UNIVERSITY
Air Vice Marshal Indika Wickramasinghe, USP, MSc (Def & Strat Stu), MHRM, BSc (Def Stu) Aero Eng, C Eng (UK), MRAeS, AMIE (SL), ndc, psc, assumed duties as the new Vice Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) on the morning of 01 September 2026. He formally assumed office by signing his first official document amidst the chanting of Pirith by the Maha Sangha.
Air Vice Marshal Indika Wickramasinghe is a proficient Aeronautical Engineer who has held several key engineering appointments in the Sri Lanka Air Force, including Director General General Engineering and Director General Aeronautical Engineering.
The official assumption of duties was followed by a guard turnout, a colourful ceremonial parade with KDU colours, and a symbolic tree planting to mark the occasion. The ceremonial parade was attended by Deputy Vice Chancellors, Rectors of Campuses, Deans of Faculties, Centre Directors, senior tri-service and administrative staff, as well as a cross-section of officer cadets and day scholars.
Later in the morning, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor addressed the Deans of all faculties of KDU and outlined his vision for taking the University forward during his tenure. He highlighted several key areas of emphasis, including elevating the standards of the University through the provision of quality education, strengthening academic excellence, and enhancing research output.
The Vice Chancellor called upon all staff members to extend their fullest support, willing cooperation, and active contribution towards achieving these objectives and further advancing KDU.
Air Vice Marshal Wickramasinghe also expressed his gratitude to His Excellency the President for appointing him to the post and to the Commander of the Air Force for nominating him for the position. He further expressed his appreciation to the Commandants, Commanding Officers, lecturers, and instructors of the former Kotelawala Defence Academy (KDA), who guided and groomed him during his studentship and contributed significantly to his professional development.
He acknowledged that the experience and guidance received during his formative years at KDA had played an important role in preparing him to undertake the high responsibility of serving as the Vice Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
Air Vice Marshal Indika Wickramasinghe is a proficient Aeronautical Engineer who has held several key engineering appointments in the Sri Lanka Air Force, including Director General General Engineering and Director General Aeronautical Engineering.
The official assumption of duties was followed by a guard turnout, a colourful ceremonial parade with KDU colours, and a symbolic tree planting to mark the occasion. The ceremonial parade was attended by Deputy Vice Chancellors, Rectors of Campuses, Deans of Faculties, Centre Directors, senior tri-service and administrative staff, as well as a cross-section of officer cadets and day scholars.
Later in the morning, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor addressed the Deans of all faculties of KDU and outlined his vision for taking the University forward during his tenure. He highlighted several key areas of emphasis, including elevating the standards of the University through the provision of quality education, strengthening academic excellence, and enhancing research output.
The Vice Chancellor called upon all staff members to extend their fullest support, willing cooperation, and active contribution towards achieving these objectives and further advancing KDU.
Air Vice Marshal Wickramasinghe also expressed his gratitude to His Excellency the President for appointing him to the post and to the Commander of the Air Force for nominating him for the position. He further expressed his appreciation to the Commandants, Commanding Officers, lecturers, and instructors of the former Kotelawala Defence Academy (KDA), who guided and groomed him during his studentship and contributed significantly to his professional development.
He acknowledged that the experience and guidance received during his formative years at KDA had played an important role in preparing him to undertake the high responsibility of serving as the Vice Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
