Air Marshal Sumangala Dias promoted to the four star rank of Air Chief Marshal!

Written by Zulfick Farzan   

Colombo (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces has promoted Air Marshal Sumangala Dias to the four star rank of Air Chief Marshal with effect from 1st November 2020.

Air Chief Marshal Dias took over as the 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force on 29 May 2019 and is scheduled to relinquish his command on 2 November 2020 at Air Force Headquarters.

Air Chief Marshal Dambure Liyanage Sumangala Dias joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 12th December 1984 as an Officer Cadet in the General Duties Pilot Branch in the 13th Officer Cadet intake. 

On completion of the Basic and Advanced phases of flying training, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the GDP branch on 15th August 1986.

Air Chief Marshal Dias completed his Staff Course at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, India in 2001 and completed National Defence Course in Mirpur, Bangladesh. 

He has also completed Junior Command and Staff Course in India, Joint Air Warfare Course at IAF, India and Aircraft Accident Investigation Course in Pakistan.

On 21st October 1996 he was appointed as the Commanding Officer of No 02 Heavy Transport Squadron at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Ratmalana and subsequently as the Commanding Officer of No 08 Light Transport Squadron at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Ratmalana. 

On successful completion of Staff College he returned to flying duties and took over as the Commanding Officer of No 06 Helicopter Squadron at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Vavuniya on 26th June 2002. 

On 01st June 2005 he was appointed as the Base Commander Sri Lanka Air Force Base Hingurakgoda which consists of three lodger formations including two helicopter squadrons. 

He was also appointed as the Senior Air Coordinator for the Humanitarian Operations and actively performed duties with the ground commanders located in North and East theaters (57, 58 and 58 Divisions) until the completion of the Humanitarian Operations in year 2009. 

On 05th December 2009 he was appointed as the Base Commander Sri Lanka Air Force Base Ratmalana which consists of six lodger formations including two flying squadrons, where he completed number of development projects including an international standard rugby ground. 

He was appointed as the Base Commander Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake which consists of twenty five lodger formations including three flying squadrons for the period from 30th April 2012 to 10th June 2013.

He was appointed as the Command Flight Safety Officer and subsequently as the Deputy Director Air Operations in the year 2013.

He was appointed as the Deputy Director Logistics on 28th February 2014 and became the Director Logistics on 01st July 2014. On 15th June 2016 Air Marshal Dias was appointed as the Director Air Operations of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Air Chief Marshal DLS Dias was appointed the Chief of Staff of the Air Force w.e.f  01 October 2016 until he was appointed as the 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Air Chief Marshal Dias has been awarded the Vadamarachchi Operation Medal, Purna Bhumi Service Medal, Desha Putra Sammanaya, Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama four times with 03 Bars, North & East Operations Medal, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary Medal, North Humanitarian Operational Medal, East Humanitarian Operational Medal, Uththama Seva Padakkama and the Vishishta Seva Vibushanaya.  

Air Chief Marshal Dias is a proud recipient of the Desha Puthra Sammanaya, as a result of injuries he sustained due to enemy fire over Silawathuriai during offensive combat air operations in Eelam War II. 

In 2008, as the Senior Air Coordinator and Air Component Commander for the final stages of Eelam War IV, he was instrumental in synchronizing air operations with the ground operations of the 57, 58 and 59 divisions of the Sri Lanka Army, contributing decisively to the successful culmination of the humanitarian operation as well as the conflict that had plagued Sri Lanka for thirty years.  

He served as the first Chairman of SLAF Tug of War in 2011. He was the Chairman SLAF Athletic in 2012 and the Chairman SLAF Cycling in 2014.  He also served as the Chairman Rugby Advisory Committee.

Air Chief Marshal DLS Dias is married to Mayuri and blessed with two children, Bimsara and Visaka.

Original post:
https://www.newsfirst.lk/2020/11/01/air-marshal-sumangala-dias-promoted-to-the-four-star-rank-of-air-chief-marshal/