The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke made a courtesy visit on the 26th of June to pay tribute to his alma mater. The Chief was greeted by the Principal, Secretary of the Royal College Union and the Secretary of the School Development Society. He was the second high-ranking military personality to visit Royal College this month (Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne visited on the 3rd of May).

Air Chief Marshal Gunatilleke was educated at S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela and Royal College Colombo. He joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the General Duties Pilot Branch. After successful completion of Flight Training he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. He holds a Master of Science degree (Defence Studies) in management from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.

Having been assigned to the No 2 Transport Squadron, he flew heavy transport aircraft of the Air Force and became a flying instructor after training in the Pakistan Air Force. Later he flew SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 and the IA 58 Pucara in ground attack role against LTTE targets. Gunatilleke also served as the Staff Officer Operations at Air Force Headquarters.

He went on to command the No 1 Flying Training Wing and No 2 Transport Squadron as well as served as the Base Commander of SLAF China Bay and SLAF Katunayake. In 2008, he was appointed as the Director Training at Air Force Headquarters and was thereafter appointed as Director Air Operations. Later he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Air Force and held the post until he was promoted as Commander of the Air Force in the year 2014 with the rank of Air Marshal. Having stepped down from the post of Commander of the Air Force in June 2015, he was appointed as Chief of Defence Staff and promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal.