SriLankan’s latest batch of cadet pilots earn their wings

Top row from left:  JFO Nilupuli Andrahennadi, JFO Sidath Munasinghe, JFO Shevon Rajasekera, JFO Mario Perera, JFO Mahesh De Alwis, JFO Shehan Seneviratne, JFO Yanik Nugawila,  JFO Akash Nuwara Pakshage, JFO Marie Perera. Front row from left:  Chief Pilot A320 – Capt. Pravin Wettimuny, Guest of Honour Capt. Uthpala Kumarasinghe, Chief Executive Officer Rakhita Jayawardena, Senior Manager Flight Operations Capt. Kiran Kumaranayagam, Chief Pilot Training and Standards Capt. Upul Samarakoon, Deputy Chief Pilot Training and Standards Capt. Romesh De Silva

Top row from left: JFO Heshari Palihawadana, JFO Gayan Liyanage, JFO Akila Geeganage, JFO Ravin Waragoda, JFO Rivin Karunatillaka, JFO Tehani Perera, JFO Charitha Samarasekera, JFO Anuradhi Jasinghe. Front row from left:  Chief Pilot A320 Capt Pravin Wettimuny, Guest of Honour Capt. Uthpala Kumarasinghe, Chief Executive Officer Rakhita Jayawardena, Senior Manager Flight Operations Capt. Kiran Kumaranayagam, Chief Pilot Training and Standards Capt. Upul Samarakoon, Deputy Chief Pilot Training and Standards Capt. Romesh De Silva

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 program 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, Heshari Palihawadana, Anuradhi Jasinghe, Tehani Perera, Rivin Karunatillaka, Charitha Samarasekera, Gayan Liyanage and Ravin Waragoda whilst the second batch was made up of Nilupuli Andrahennadi, Marie Perera, Mahesh De Alwis, Mario Perera, Sidath Munasinghe, Shevon Rajasekera, Yanik Nugawila, Shehan Seneviratne and Akash Nuwara Pakshage. Rivin Karunatillaka of batch 1 and Shevon Rajasekera 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 program last year, replacing its ageing fleet of wide body Airbus 340s with the brand new and fuel efficient A330-300 aircraft. 

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