Ravi Liyanagamage : Remembering a Retired Air Vice Marshal

One year has passed since the most unexpected and most unfortunate passing away of Air Vice Marshal Ravindra Pandukabhaya Liyanagamage, affectionately known as Ravi. 

Born on January 30 1967, Ravi was the eldest of the three sons of the late Piyasena Liyanagamage and late Mrs Prema Liyanagamage (Nee Samaranayake) of Hapugala, Galle. 

After completing his school education at Richmond College Galle, Ravi joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 08 June 1988 as an Officer Cadet. It was the beginning of an illustrious career in the Sri Lanka Air Force in which he reached the prestigious level of an Air Vice Marshal on 2nd March 2020. 

Ravi was commissioned as an Air Force Pilot on 01 July 1990. Since then, the posts he held on his way forward in the Air Force career included:  Commanding Officer, No. 6 Helicopter Squadron, Air  Force Base, Anuradhapura.

Commanding Officer, No.7 Helicopter Squadron, Air Force  Base, Hingurakgoda. Counsellor (Defence), Sri Lanka Embassy, Russia. Base Commander. Air Force Base, Hingurakgoda Base Commander, Air Force Base, Anuradhapura Base Commander, Air Force Base, Ratmalana. Senior Air Staff Officer, Directorate of Air Operations. Director Logistics, Air Force Head Quarters.   

In addition to the various training programmes and study courses he followed in Sri Lanka, Ravi had the opportunity of following training programmes and study courses in several foreign countries also. Prominent among them were:  Defence Strategic Studies in China, Joint Professional Military Education in the USA, Response to Terrorism Course in USA. Air War Course in Pakistan. Aircraft accident Investigation course in Pakistan, Junior Commander course in India. 

In the year 2012, Ravi obtained a Master of Defence Studies from the University of Kelaniya and later a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the National Defence University in Pakistan. 

In recognition of his gallant and dedicated services to the motherland, Ravi has been awarded many medals. Prominent among them were:  Weera Wickrama Vibhushana, Rana Wckrama Padakkama, Uththama Seva Padakkama, Sevabhimani Padakkama, Videsha Seva Padakkama.  

Ravi was my cousin. He was the shining star of our dynasty. We were very proud of him, not only for his achievements in the Sri Lanka Air Force but also for his charismatic personality and most gentle and excellent qualities. In our family gatherings and trips, he was never a Marshal nor a commander and moved very affectionately and cordially with everyone, young and old. He was indeed a prince charming, who kept the family members happy and jovial whenever he was around. 

What was very special and unique among the Liyanagamage brothers, was that the three brothers, Ravi, Jagath and Mangala joined the three forces, Air Force Navy and Army respectively as Officer Cadets after completing their education at Richmond College whilst Ravi became an Air Vice Marshal, Jagath is now a Commodore in the Navy. But most unfortunately, Mangala became a victim of an LTTE attack whilst actively engaged in the Rivirasa operation in the year 1998. He was only 27 years old when he made the supreme sacrifice. 

“Dear Ravi Ayya, although you are not amongst us today, you will be in our hearts always and forever. How smart you were especially in the Air Force uniform, such happy memories will never be forgotten. May the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem be on you always throughout your journey in Sansara.”

-Damitha Samaranayake