New DG Civil Aviation assumes duties

Air Vice Marshal H.M.S.K.B. Kotakadeniya (Retd) assumed duties as the Civil Aviation Director General and Chief Executive Officer on 14 March at the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL).

This appointment comes in the wake of the retirement of former Director General of Civil Aviation.

A ceremony to mark this significant occasion took place in the presence of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, CAASL Chairman G.S. Withanage, Vice Chairman D.W.S. Narangoda, Board Director Capt. Milinda Rathnayake, Deputy Director General Rayhan Wanniappa and other senior officers of CAASL were presented this occasion. 

The official appointment letter was presented recently by Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala Silva, and has received the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Prior to assuming the position of Director-General, he served as a Board Director of CAASL from 12 August 2022, where his contributions were instrumental in shaping the direction of civil aviation in Sri Lanka.

With a distinguished career spanning 35 years in the Sri Lanka Air Force, Kotakadeniya has held numerous staff and command appointments, showcasing his leadership acumen and operational expertise. Notably, he is the only Air Force officer to have commanded all six air bases in the Sri Lanka Air Force, underscoring his unparalleled understanding of the country’s aviation landscape.

His extensive educational background includes two master’s degrees in International Relations and Defence and Strategic Studies, along with training from prestigious institutions such as the National Defence University in Washington DC and China. In the realm of civil aviation, he holds diplomas and certificates in Airline Management and Station Management from IATA, further augmenting his credentials for his new role.

Throughout his illustrious career, Kotakadeniya has been recognised for his exceptional service and acts of bravery, earning him several gallantry medals and prestigious awards, including the Vishishta Seva Vibushanaya and Uttama Seva Padakkama.