Donald Perera | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Sri Lanka |
| Branch |  Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands | Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force |
| Conflicts | Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Awards | Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Uttama Seva Padakkama |
| Other work | Ambassador to Israel |
Air Chief MarshalG Donald PereraVSV,USP is aSri Lankaair officer who served ascommander of the Air Force from 2002 to 2006 andChief of the Defence Staff from 2006 to 2009. He served as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Israel.[1]
Perera was educated atS. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia.
Perera joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as anofficer cadet in the general duties pilot branch in the officer cadet intake 1 of theAir Force Academy, China Bay on 12 January 1972. On completing his flying training he was commissioned as apilot officer on 19 October 1973. Serving as a squadron pilot in theNo. 2 Squadron SLAF, he logged over 7,500 flying hours on transports. He served as the Commandant Flying Training Wing, Air Force Academy, China Bay; Commanding officer, the No. 2 Squadron; Base Commander,SLAF Katunayake and Zonal Commander - Western Zone; Base Commander,SLAF China Bay and Zonal Commander - Eastern Zone and Acting Director Operations. He attended theAir Command and Staff College in 1990 and theNational Defence College, New Delhi in 1998. He was appointed Chief of Staff of the SLAF in December 1998. On 16 July 2002, he was appointed commander of the Air Force with promotion to the rank ofAir Marshal. He was appointedChief of the Defence Staff on 12 June 2006 with promotion to the rank ofAir Chief Marshal, during the final stages of theSri Lankan Civil War and retired on 15 July 2009. His awards includeVishista Seva Vibhushanaya,Uttama Seva Padakkama,Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal,Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary Medal,Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal,President's Inauguration Medal,50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal,North and East Operations Medal,Purna Bhumi Padakkama,Vadamarachchi Operation Medal andRiviresa Campaign Services Medal.[2]
Following is retirement as Chief of the Defence Staff, Perera was appointed Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Israel.[3]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chief of the Defence Staff 2007–2009 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force 2002–2007 | Succeeded by |
| ||
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