Harry Goonatilake
Encyclopedia
Air Chief Marshal
W.D. Harry Goonetileke USP
, ndc, psc, SLAF (November 27, 1929 – April 11, 2008) was the fifth Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force
from November 1, 1976 to April 30, 1981.
in 1951 in the first batch of locally trained pilots. He received his flight training in the Chipmunk
and Balliol aircraft and earning his Wings in 1954, and 4 years later in 1958 was promoted to Squadron Leader. He was one the members of a team that flew to UK and back ferrying the RCyAF's new de Havilland Heron
aircraft to Ceylon. His commands included Commanding Officer No. 2 (Transport) Squadron, RCyAF
and Commanding Officer of RCyAF China Bay
, with responsibility for the Cadet training there. In 1962 he became Station Commander and after further training at Staff College, Wellington he was appointed Director of Operations with responsibility for all flying and ground operations in the Force. In this capacity he played a major role during the 1971 Insurrection. He also began the archival process that led in later years to the formation of the SLAF Museum and contributed greatly to SLAF sports particularly Rugby Football. He was the Chief of Air Staff before being promoted as Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force
on November 1, 1976, a post he held till his retirement on April 30, 1981.
In 2007 he was promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal
along with 9 other former service commanders.
is the current Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force
, his younger son Air Commodore
Shirantha Goonatilake
RWP, RSP
, SLAF was killed in 1995 when the plane he was piloting was shot down by a SAM
, to date is the most senior air force officer killed in action.
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
W.D. Harry Goonetileke USP
Uttama Seva Padakkama
The Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess...
, ndc, psc, SLAF (November 27, 1929 – April 11, 2008) was the fifth Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force
Commander of the Air Force (Sri Lanka)
The Commander of the Air Force is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The current Commander of the Air Force is Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama since 2011...
from November 1, 1976 to April 30, 1981.
Early life
Born 27 November 1929, as the only son of a family of five girls, his father was a booking clerk in the Railways Department and became an Assistant Transportation Superintendent at the time of retirement. Educated at Royal College, Colombo and played of the college rugby team, he would continue to play and coach the air force team as well.Career in the Air Force
Harry Goonetileke joined the Royal Ceylon Air Force as a Flight CadetFlight Cadet
A flight cadet is a military or civilian occupational title that is held by someone who is in training to operate an airplane. The trainee does not need to become a pilot, as flight cadets may also learn to serve as a co-pilot, navigator, or flight engineer....
in 1951 in the first batch of locally trained pilots. He received his flight training in the Chipmunk
De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk
The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a tandem, two-seat, single-engined primary trainer aircraft which was the standard primary trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and several other air forces through much of the post-Second World War years...
and Balliol aircraft and earning his Wings in 1954, and 4 years later in 1958 was promoted to Squadron Leader. He was one the members of a team that flew to UK and back ferrying the RCyAF's new de Havilland Heron
De Havilland Heron
The de Havilland DH.114 Heron was a small, propeller-driven British airliner that first flew on 10 May 1950. It was a development of the twin-engine de Havilland Dove, with a stretched fuselage and two more engines. It was designed as a rugged, conventional low-wing monoplane with tricycle...
aircraft to Ceylon. His commands included Commanding Officer No. 2 (Transport) Squadron, RCyAF
No. 2 Squadron SLAF
No. 2 "Heavy Transport" Squadron is a squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It currently operates the C-130 Hercules and Antonov 32 from SLAF Ratmalana.-History:...
and Commanding Officer of RCyAF China Bay
SLAF China Bay
SLAF China Bay is a Sri Lanka Air Force base located at China Bay, Trincomalee. The airbase is situated close to the coast and has a long runway which is believed to be able to handle most modern aircraft...
, with responsibility for the Cadet training there. In 1962 he became Station Commander and after further training at Staff College, Wellington he was appointed Director of Operations with responsibility for all flying and ground operations in the Force. In this capacity he played a major role during the 1971 Insurrection. He also began the archival process that led in later years to the formation of the SLAF Museum and contributed greatly to SLAF sports particularly Rugby Football. He was the Chief of Air Staff before being promoted as Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force
Commander of the Air Force (Sri Lanka)
The Commander of the Air Force is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The current Commander of the Air Force is Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama since 2011...
on November 1, 1976, a post he held till his retirement on April 30, 1981.
In 2007 he was promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
along with 9 other former service commanders.
Family life
In 1955 he married Marian Perera and had two sons and two daughters. Both his sons joined the Sri Lanka Air Force, his eldest son Air Marshal Roshan GoonatilakeRoshan Goonatilake
Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilleke, RWP & BAR, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, SLAF was the Commander of the Air Force and is the Chief of the Defence Staff of Sri Lanka. Air Chief Marshal Goonetilleke has served in the Sri Lankan Air Force for more than 33 years...
is the current Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force
Commander of the Air Force (Sri Lanka)
The Commander of the Air Force is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The current Commander of the Air Force is Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama since 2011...
, his younger son Air Commodore
Air Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Shirantha Goonatilake
Shirantha Goonatilake
Air Commodore Shirantha Goonatilake RWP, RSP, SLAF was Sri Lankan aviator and most senior Air Force officer to be killed in action...
RWP, RSP
RSP
-Music:* RSP , a Japanese hip-hop and R&B group* Rubber Soul Project, a Serbian rock music band-Computers and technology:* Remote Serial Port, an extension to the Telnet protocol* Reality signal processor, a component of the Nintendo 64...
, SLAF was killed in 1995 when the plane he was piloting was shot down by a SAM
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
, to date is the most senior air force officer killed in action.