Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) assumed
duty as new Defence Secretary
September 23, 2024
Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) WWV, RWP and two bars, RSP and bar, USP, MMSc (Strat Stu- China), MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, MSc (Def & Strat Stu), fndu (China), psc has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Defence by His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
AVM Thuyacontha officially assumed duty in his new appointment at the Defence Ministry at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Akuregoda this evening (Sep 23, 2024).
Soon after assuming duties in his new appointment the Defence Secretary chaired a special discussion with defence heads including Additional Secretaries of the Defence Ministry, Chief of Defence Staff and tri forces commanders.
AVM Thuyacontha, a distinguished officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force retired in November 2021 after completing more than 33 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he held the appointment of Director Training of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
AVM Thuyacontha (Retd) was born in Colombo on 26th November 1966. He studied at the prestigious Thurstan College in Colombo. An avid rugby player, he represented the 1st XV rugby team of his school and was selected to represent Colombo Schools Rugby Team in year 1986. He received the School Rugby Colours in 1986.
Having joined the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1988 to the 19th Intake as an Officer Cadet, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the General Duties Pilot Branch in 1990. During his training period, he has successfully completed the Basic Combat Training, Basic Flying Training, Basic and Advanced Helicopter Training Courses.
After completion of training in 1990, he was deployed for flying duties as an operational pilot in Bell 212/412 helicopters. In 2001, he was posted to No 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron, Sri Lanka Air Force Base at Hingurakgoda as the Second in Command and later was appointed as the Commanding Officer in 2005.
The important appointments held by the senior officer also included Base Commander, SLAF Base Anuradhapura,Commandant of SLAF Academy China Bay, Base Commander SLAF Base Katunayake and the first Air Commander of the Sourthern Air Command.
During his service, he had actively involved in all major operations including the final humanitarian operation. He had logged more than 7000 flying hours as an Operations/ VIP and Attack Helicopter Pilot of Sri Lanka Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Thuyacontha has also served as the Defence Adviser to the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Islamabad, Pakistan for a period of two years and as the Chief Instructor of the Defence Services Command and Staff College in 2014.
For his individual acts of gallantry and bravery in the face of the enemy during the Humanitarian Operations, he has been decorated with “Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya” (WWV), “Rana Wickrama Padakkama” (RWP) and “Rana Sura Padakkama” (RSP) on several occasions.
