Air Vice Marshal Thushara Fernando MBA, MDS, B.A. Hons, ndc, psc, PG Dip in Mgt, SWORN Translator, Justice of Peace (All Island) bid adieu to the Sri Lanka Air Force on 19th September 2024, after completing 33 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he held the appointment of Director General Training of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Fernando made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, at his office on 12 September 2024. The Commander commended him for his dedicated service rendered to the nation and to the Sri Lanka Air Force in particular. The Commander also emphasized that he was one of the key stakeholders during times of need for our motherland, and that his heroic history will remain etched in the annals of the SLAF. The Commander and Air Vice Marshal Fernando exchanged mementos to mark the occasion. In recognition of the outstanding service rendered to the nation, the Farewell Dinner was graciously hosted in honour of Air Vice Marshal Fernando with the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa along with the members of the Air Force Board of Management. This momentous occasion took place at the Air Force Headquarters Officers' Mess in Colombo on 13 September 2024. Subsequently, he was accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour on 19th September 2024 by the SLAF Colour Wing before departing from Air Force Headquarters at Defence Headquarters Complex for the last time.

Air Vice Marshal Fernando embarked his military career as an Officer Cadet in the 7th Intake of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy (KDA), Ratmalana, on 14 November 1989. Having completed the basic military and academic endeavours at KDU, he was attached to the Basic and Advanced Logistics Courses at the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy in China Bay where he secured the first in the order of merit. Later he was attached to the Basic Officer Cadets Combat Course at Sri Lanka Air Force Combat Training School in Diyatalawa and he has secured the first place. This paved the way for his commissioning as a Pilot Officer in the Logistics Branch on 14 November 1991, marking the beginning of his distinguished military career.

In his third consecutive year, Air Vice Marshal Thushara Fernando has achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Defence Studies Degree with First Class Honours from the prestigious General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy in Sri Lanka, garnering an outstanding total of seven awards, a remarkable feat, setting a new record to date. Namely, Trophy for the First in Order of Merit, Trophy for the Best Student Officer from the Air Force, Trophy for the Best Overall Performance in Academic Studies – Non Technology Stream, Trophy for the Best Student Officer in Strategic and Defence Studies, Trophy for the Best Student Officer in Military Studies, Trophy for the Best Student Officer in Leadership and Management Capability and Trophy for the Best Syndicate in Military Presentations.

Air Vice Marshal Thushara Fernando’s dedication to the profession of Arms saw him excel at the No. 31 Junior Commanders’ Course, securing the first position in the order of merit and earning the esteemed ‘Public Speaking’ title. Subsequently, his pursuit of excellence led him to the No. 84 Junior Command and Staff Course at the Bangladesh Air Force in 2011, where he achieved an impressive overall aggregate of 80%, further solidifying his reputation for exceptional leadership and academic prowess.

Given his exemplary academic credentials, Air Vice Marshal Thushara Fernando has been entrusted with instructional roles at esteemed institutions, notably serving as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), Sapugaskanda, for a commendable period of five years. His tenure underscores his exceptional aptitude for teaching and mentoring, contributing significantly to the development and grooming of future military leaders. With an impressive array of qualifications and achievements, Air Vice Marshal Thushara Fernando stands as a paragon of academic excellence and professional distinction. Possessing credentials including MBA, MDS, B.A. Honours (Defence Studies), ndc, psc, and a PG Diploma in Management, he also holds the esteemed titles of Sworn Translator and Justice of Peace (All Island). He pursued Ph.D. in Management at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura and an MPhil at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. He enriches the academic sphere as a frequent lecturer at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC). His scholarly contributions extend beyond the classroom, with numerous published articles in esteemed journals such as Business Management Digest, Asian Journal of Marketing Management, and Academy of Management, Poland, among others. Furthermore, he has presented insightful papers at prestigious conferences, including the 19th International Conference on Business Management at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura and the NDC Symposium at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.

Throughout his distinguished tenure in the SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Thushara Fernando has assumed numerous pivotal roles, each contributing to the Air Force’s operational efficiency and strategic vision. He has served as Officer Commanding Logistics, Chief Equipment Officer, and Deputy Director Finance, ensuring the effective allocation of resources to support SLAF’s mission objectives. Prior to his current role as Director General Training in the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Fernando served as the Director General Coordinating to the Chief of Defence Staff at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo 07, showcasing his exceptional leadership and organizational competence.

For his distinguished and exemplary service, he has been awarded the Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal and Clasp, Sevabhimani Padakkama, Seva Padakkama, 50th Independence Celebration Medal, East Humanitarian Medal and Clasp, North Humanitarian Medal and Clasp, North and East Operations Medal and Clasp, Puma Bhumi Padakkama, "Operation Riviresa" Campaign Medal, and 75th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal.

AIR VICE MARSHAL THUSHARA FERNANDO BIDS ADIEU TO THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE

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