Former Air Force Commander Kolitha Gunathilake Appointed KDU Chancellor

Former Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Kolitha A. Gunathilake (Retd.), has been appointed Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The letter of appointment was presented to Gunathilake by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on October 5.

Gunathilake brings extensive experience in military aviation, leadership and national defence to the role, having previously served as Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force and Chief of Defence Staff.

His appointment is significant for KDU, which plays an important role in developing professionals for Sri Lanka’s defence and aviation sectors.

Established in 1981 as the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy under Parliamentary Act No. 68 of 1981, the institution was elevated to university status in 1988 and renamed General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in October 2007.

KDU’s degrees are recognised by the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka. The university is also a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the International Association of Universities.

The university has made a notable contribution to aviation education through its Department of Aeronautical Engineering, established in 1993 to address the growing need for officers with specialised knowledge in aircraft engineering and related technologies.

The first batch of officer cadets enrolled in the aeronautical engineering degree programme in 1993, with the inaugural batch graduating in 1997. Since then, the programme has helped develop technically qualified personnel for the aviation and aerospace engineering fields.

Gunathilake’s appointment comes as KDU continues its role in higher education, professional development and the advancement of specialised knowledge in defence-related disciplines.