| Roshan Goonetilleke | |
|---|---|
Air Chief Marshal W.D.R.M.J. Goonetilleke RWP & bar, VSV, USP, ndc, psc |
|
| Born | February 28, 1956 |
| Allegiance | Sri Lanka |
| Service/branch | Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Years of service | January 13, 1978 - February 27, 2011 (33 years)[1] |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands held | Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force Chief of the Defence Staff |
| Battles/wars | Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Awards | Rana Wickrama Padakkama & BAR, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Uttama Seva Padakkama |
Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilleke, RWP & BAR, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, SLAF was the Commander of the Air Force and is the Chief of the Defence Staff of Sri Lanka. Air Chief Marshal Goonetilleke has served in the Sri Lankan Air Force for more than 33 years. He is the elder son of the 5th Commander of the Air Force Air Chief Marshal Harry Goonatilake and his younger brother Air Commodore Shirantha Goonatilake RWP, RSP, SLAF was killed in combat in 1995.[2] He is the second CDS to hold concurrent command of a service and second person to hold the office following its reforms before the appointment of former Gen. Sarath Fonseka.
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After finishing his studies at St Peter's College, Colombo Goonatilake followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the General Duties Pilot Branch on January 13, 1978. On successful completion of flying training, he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on August 24, 1979.
His early commands included Commanding Officer of No. 03 Maritime Squadron and the Commanding Officer of No. 04 Helicopter Wing. He was also the Zonal Commander Northern Zone and Zonal Commander Eastern Zone. His more senior commands included commander SLAF Katunayake, SLAF Anuradapura and SLAF China Bay, Director of Operations / Deputy Chief of Staff before being appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
Goonetilleke graduated from the Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Alabama, United States in 1994 and had also attended the National Defence College in Pakistan in 2001.
Goonetilleke was appointed as the Commander of the Air Force on 11 June 2006. After the conclusion of Eelam War IV and the demise of the LTTE, he was promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal along with other service chiefs by the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse, in recognition of his services during the campaign. He was appointed to the office of Chief of Defence Staff on 16 November 2009.[3] Goonetilleke retired on the 28 February 2011, however is going to continue his duties as the Chief of Defence Staff.[4]
Roshan Goonatilake is the newly appointed President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.[5]
Air Chief Marshal Goonetilleke, is married to Nelun. They have a son Rehan and daughter Ronali, Rehan is a Pilot Officer in the Sri Lanka Air Force.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by G D Perera |
Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force 2006 - 2011 |
Succeeded by Harsha Abeywickrama |
| Preceded by Sarath Fonseka |
Chief of Defence Staff 2009 - |
Succeeded by Incumbent |