SriLankan Airlines latest batch of cadet pilots were awarded their “Wings’ when they passed out as Junior First Officers at a Wings Ceremony which was held at the Airline Centre recently.

A total of two batches graduated at the ceremony having undergone a stringent one-year training programme before qualifying to fly with the national carrier and obtaining a CAASL licence (Civil Aviation Authority) which is a globally recognised certification.

The first batch of young pilots that graduated was made up of Akila Geeganage, HeshariPalihawadana, AnuradhiJasinghe, Tehani Perera, RivinKarunatillaka, Charitha Samarasekera, Gayan Liyanage and RavinWaragoda whilst the second batch was made up of NilupuliAndrahennadi, Marie Perera, Mahesh De Alwis, Mario Perera, Sidath Munasinghe, ShevonRajasekera, YanikNugawila, Shehan Seneviratne, and Akash NuwaraPakshage. RivinKarunatillaka of batch 1 and ShevonRajasekera of batch 2 were recognised as the batch top in their respective batches.

With the ever increasing demand for professionally trained pilots in the global aviation industry, SriLankan Airlines will continue to recruit and provide the necessary training and skills for the young men and women of Sri Lanka who seek an exciting and rewarding career in flying and cater to its own growth and capacity needs.

The Airline commenced a wide body fleet modernisation programme last year, replacing its ageing fleet of wide body Airbus 340’s with the brand new and fuel efficient A330-300 aircraft.

The Chief guest on the occasion was Rakhita Jayawardena, Director/Chief Executive Officerof SriLankan Airlines, with Captain Kiran Kumaranayagam, Senior Manager Flight Operations and Captain Romesh De Silva, Deputy Chief Pilot Training & Standards also in attendance.

Photo Captions :

7577 - Batch 1
Top row from left : JFO HeshariPalihawadana, JFO Gayan Liyanage, JFO Akila Geeganage, JFO RavinWaragoda, JFO RivinKarunatillaka, JFO Tehani Perera, JFO Charitha Samarasekera, JFO AnuradhiJasinghe

Front row from left : Chief Pilot A320 – CaptPravin Wettimuny, Guest of Honour - CaptUthpalaKumarasinghe, Chief Executive Officer - Mr. Rakhita Jayawardena, Senior Manager Flight Operations – Capt Kiran Kumaranayagam, Chief Pilot Training & Standards – Capt Upul Samarakoon, Deputy Chief Pilot Training & Standards – Capt Romesh De Silva.

7572 - Batch 2
Top row from left : JFO NilupuliAndrahennadi, JFO Sidath Munasinghe, JFO ShevonRajasekera, JFO Mario Perera, JFO Mahesh De Alwis, JFO Shehan Seneviratne, JFO YanikNugawila, JFO Akash NuwaraPakshage, JFO Marie Perera

Front row from left : Chief Pilot A320 – CaptPravin Wettimuny, Guest of Honour - CaptUthpalaKumarasinghe, Chief Executive Officer - Mr. Rakhita Jayawardena, Senior Manager Flight Operations – Capt Kiran Kumaranayagam, Chief Pilot Training & Standards – Capt Upul Samarakoon, Deputy Chief Pilot Training & Standards – Capt Romesh De Silva.