Harsha Abeywickrama

Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, qfi, SLAF is a Sri Lankan fighter pilot and the current Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force.

Education
Educated at Royal College Colombo where he excelled both in studies and in sports. He has gain a MA in International Security from Kings College, University of London and a MSc (Defense Studies) in Management from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.

Abeywickrema is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies and the Air Command and Staff College, Air University. He has undergone a number of training courses and is a qualified flying instructor.

Career
Abeywickrema joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the General Duties Pilot Branch in 1980. After successful completion of Flying Training he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1982.

During his career he has commanded the No. 1 Flying Training Wing and was the first commanding officer of the No. 5 "Jet" Squadron when it was reestablished in 1991 under his command following the acquisition of F-7 and F-5 fighters from China, it was the country's first fighter squadron. He was one of the first pilots to qualify in F-7s in 1991 and IAI Kfirs in 1996. Thereafter he served as Commanding Officer of SLAF Palaly, Base Commander of SLAF China Bay, SLAF Anuradhapura & SLAF Rathmalana following which he became the Zonal Commander East and Chief Instructor of Air Wing of the Defence Services Command and Staff College.

In his stint as the Director Air Operations at SLAF Colombo, Air Force Headquarters he spearheaded air operations that brought about the successful conclusion of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009. He was also the Director Logistics. Thereafter he served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force until he was promoted as Commander of the Air Force.

Air Marshal Abeywickrema has been awarded the gallantry medals Rana Wickrama Padakkama and Rana Sura Padakkama for individual acts of bravery, the service medals Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV), Uttama Seva Padakkama and Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal.

Hobbies and Family Life
Abeywickrema who is also an active golfer is married to Neelika a lawyer and they have one son, Kasun who is currently doing an undergraduate degree in Cardiff University, UK.