Sumangala Dias

Sumangala Dias
Allegiance Sri Lanka
Service/branch Sri Lanka Air Force
Years of service 31
Rank Air Vice Marshal
Commands held Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force
Battles/wars Vadamarachchi Operation
Eelam War I
Eelam War II
Eelam War III
Awards RSP

Air Vice Marshal Sumangala Dias (also known as Dambure Liyanage Sumangala Dias) RSP, MSc (Def Stu), ndc, psc is the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force.[1][2]

Education

Sumangala after being educated at Nalanda College, Colombo joined Sri Lanka Air Force in 1984 as an Officer cadet attached to General duties pilot branch. He is a graduate of National Defence College (India) and national Defence College Bangladesh.[3][4][5]

Career

Later after undergoing ground combat courses and flying training he was commissioned as a Pilot officer in 1986. Sumangala Dias was a pioneer member of No 6 Helicopter Squadron Sri Lanka Air Force Base vavuniya that was established in 1993. He was also the officer commanding operations there that operated Mi - 17 Helicopters.

After being promoted to the rank of Squadron leader in 1996, Sumangala was appointed as Commanding Officer of No. 2 Squadron SLAF Ratmalana. During 2001, Sumangala was appointed as Commanding Officer of No. 6 Squadron SLAF Vavuniya after being promoted to the rank of Wing Commander. He has also held the position of base commander Sri Lanka Air Force Base Hingurakgoda. In 2008 he was appointed as the Senior Air Coordinator for the Humanitarian Operations and actively performed duties with the ground commanders located in North and East theaters (57, 58 and 58 Divisions) until the completion of the Humanitarian Operations in year 2009. In the same year he was appointed as the Base Commander Sri Lanka Air Force Base Ratmalana which consists of six lodger formations including two flying squadrons.[6]

Later on he was promoted as Air commodore in 2011 and appointed as Base Commander Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake.[7]

Medals

Air Vice Marshal Dias is a recipient of Uttama Seva Padakkama, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, Rana Sura Padakkama, Northern Humanitarian Operations Medal, Eastern Humanitarian Operations Medal.

References

  1. ↑ D.L.S Dias appointed as Chief of Staff of SLAF
  2. ↑ Air Vice Marshall D.L.S. Dias is Air Force Chief of Staff
  3. ↑ Nalanda College Alumni (Sri Lanka Air Force)
  4. ↑ National Defence College Bangladesh Alumni 2008
  5. ↑ ගුවන් හමුදාපති පුටුවට සිව්කොන් සටනක්
  6. ↑ SLAF Cabin Attendants Receive Badge!
  7. ↑ Excellence Award 2011
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