Roshan Goonetileke Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Roshan Goonetileke RWP & bar , VSV , USP , ndc , psc was appointed the Chief of Defence Staff on 28 February 2011 on relinquishing Command of the Sri Lanka Air Force . He was the 12th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force ( SLAF ) and is the eldest son of the 5th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force , late Air Chief Marshal Harry Goonetileke and the elder brother of late Group Captain Shirantha Goonetileke , who was killed in combat in 1995 . He was the second serving service Commander to be appointed as Chief of Defence Staff whilst holding the office . Early life . Born on 28 February 1956 , he completed his education at St . Peter ' s College , Colombo Sri Lanka , where he excelled in both studies and sports . He joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the General Duties Pilot Branch on 13 January 1978 . On successful completion of flying training , he was commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on 24 August 1979 . Air Force career . During his career of 33 years in the Sri Lanka Air Force , Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke held a number of Command , Operational and Administrative appointments . He logged many flying hours both in fixed and rotary wing aircraft serving as an operational pilot , as well as the Commanding Officer of No . 03 Maritime Squadron and No . 04 Helicopter Wing . He functioned as the Zonal Commander in both Northern and Eastern Zones , and commanded Air Force Bases Katunayake , Anuradhapura and China bay . He functioned as Director Operations , Deputy Chief of Staff Operations and Chief of Staff , prior to being appointed the Commander of the Air Force on 12 July 2006 . Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke graduated from the Air Command and Staff College , Air University , Alabama , USA in 1994 and attended the prestigious National Defence College in Pakistan in 2001 . On 18 May 2009 , he was promoted Air Chief Marshal , becoming the first ever serving Officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force to be promoted to four star rank . He was admitted to the Degree of " Doctor of Philosophy " ( Honoris Causa ) by the University of Kelaniya , Sri Lanka on 20 November 2009 , in recognition of his professional achievements as the Commander of the Air Force . He is also a fellow of the Institute of Management in Sri Lanka . Principle concept of Command . Whilst being the Commander his endeavour was to create an environment in which personnel would be motivated , mentally and physically fit , and committed to serve the nation to the best of their ability not only in the primary SLAF role , but also in sports and all other activity . Throughout the sustained air campaign of the " Humanitarian Operations " he strategized with his senior commanders , providing for " opinion " and encouraging " consensus " for effective and efficient deployment of resources to ensure success . " Team " and " Team work " were the encouraged principles , with appreciation and reward processes , incorporated into the system . Other Portfolios Held . He was made the Chairman of the Board of Management of Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka ( CAA of SL ) with effect from 5 October 2009 until relinquishing duties on 28 December 2011 . Personal life . Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke is married to Mrs . Nelun Goonetileke . They have a son and a daughter , Rehan and Ronali . Rehan following in the foot steps of his grand father , father and late uncle has already obtained his flying brevet from the Sri Lanka Air Force , and commenced a career as a Helicopter Pilot . An avid sportsman , Goonetileke was heavily involved in the development of Sri Lanka Rugby , as the President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union , serving two successful terms from 1 June 2010 to 11 January 2012 . He was also appointed as " Chairman of the Board " of Waters Edge Ltd , a government - owned , multi - facility recreational and hospitality complex .