Harsha Abeywickrama
Harsha Abeywickrema | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 28, 1960 Sri Lanka |
| Occupation(s) | Air Chief Marshal, Fighter pilot, Military officer, Bank chairman |
| Years active | 1980–2014 |
| Known for | Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force (2012–2014), Chair of Bank of Ceylon |
Air chief marshal Harsha Abeywickrema, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, qfi (born 28 November 1960), is a distinguished senior officer and fighter pilot of the Sri Lankan Air Force. He held the position of Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force from 2012 until 2014 and subsequently served as the Chair (officer) of the Bank of Ceylon.
Early life and education
Born on 28 November 1960, Abeywickrema completed his schooling at Royal College, Colombo. He pursued higher education by obtaining an MA in International relations from King's College London, as well as an MSc in Management from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.
SLAF career
In 1980, Abeywickrema entered the Sri Lanka Air Force as an officer cadet and was commissioned as a pilot officer two years later in 1982. His initial flying duties involved transport aircraft during the early years of the civil conflict. He later transitioned to operating light attack turboprop planes (SIAI-Marchetti SF.260) and earned qualification as a Qualified Flying Instructor.
By 1991, he was appointed as the inaugural commanding officer of No. 5 "Jet" Squadron, which reintroduced jet fighters (Chengdu J-7, Shenyang J-5) into SLAF service after their withdrawal in the late 1970s. Abeywickrema was among the earliest pilots certified on F-7 jets and became the first SLAF aviator to achieve supersonic flight. Under his leadership, this squadron undertook vital missions during periods of escalated hostilities.
He contributed significantly to advancing SLAF's fleet by selecting and qualifying on the IAI Kfir, enhancing operational capabilities. His various command appointments included Commandant of No. 1 Flying Training Wing; Base Commander roles at Jaffna International Airport, China Bay, Anuradhapura, and Ratmalana; Zonal Commander East; and Chief Instructor at the Defence Services Command and Staff College. Additionally, he is an alumnus of the Royal College of Defence Studies.
Starting in 2006, Abeywickrema joined the Air Force Board of Management as Director Operations before becoming Director Air Operations. Elevated to Deputy Chief of Staff in 2008 while maintaining operational command responsibilities, he also assumed oversight of logistics from 2011. His strategic leadership was instrumental in bringing about the conclusion of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009.
In February 2011, he was promoted to Air Marshal and appointed Commander of the Air Force. Upon retiring in 2014, he was honored with the rank of Air Chief Marshal.
His military awards include gallantry medals Rana Wickrama Padakkama and Rana Sura Padakkama, along with distinguished service decorations Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya and Uththama Seva Padakkama.
Later work
Following his retirement from active military service, Abeywickrema took on the role of Chairman at Bank of Ceylon, Sri Lanka's largest state-owned bank.
Family
Abeywickrema is married to Neelika, a practicing attorney, and they have one son named Kasun. He is also known for his enthusiasm for golf.
External links
- Commanders of the Sri Lanka Air Force
- Sri Lankan Air Chief Marshals
- Sinhalese military personnel
- Sri Lankan aviators
- Alumni of Royal College, Colombo
- Alumni of King's College London
- Alumni of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
- Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies
- Air Command and Staff College alumni
- Sri Lanka Air Force Academy graduates
- 1960 births
- Living people