Sampath Thuyacontha appointed Defence Secretary

Air Vice Marshal (Rtd.) Sampath Thuyacontha was yesterday appointed as the new Defence Secretary. The appointment was made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, under the authority vested in him by Section 52 (I) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Thuyacontha holds a Master’s degree in Defence Studies from the National Defence University of China and a Master’s from the Kotelawala National Defence University in Sri Lanka.

He has served as the former Commanding Officer of the MI-24 Attack Helicopter Squadron, the Anuradhapura Air Force Base, and the Chinese Harbour Air Force College. 

Additionally, he was the former Defence Adviser at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Pakistan, and Commanding Officer of the Katunayake Air Force Base. 

He also held the position of Director of Training at the Air Force Headquarters. He has been awarded the Weera Wickrama Vibushana, Rana Wickrama, and Rana Sura medals for his valiant service.