Sri Lanka Air Force appoints Jayampathi as new Commander

Colombo: Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathi has been appointed the new Air Force Commander of Sri Lanka on Monday by President Maithripala Sirisena.

"The Marshal has been promoted to the rank of Air Commander," a statement from Defence Ministry said.

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About Jayampathy:

• Kapila Jayampathi joined Sri Lanka Air Force on March 5, 1982 as an officer cadet.
• He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in General Duties branch of Squadron Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).
• The officer took over duties as the Base Commander of SLAF Base China Bay in December 2009 and was re-designated as the Commandant of the Air Force Academy when the base was upgraded and re-named.
• The Marshal took over the responsibilities after the retirement of former Commander Bulathsinhala, during whose tenure the Srilankan cabinet had decided to buy new fighter jets for the Air Force. The purchase is yet to take place.