I am Chaminda Sampath Degambada, 44 years of age. I am from Sri Lanka and currently serving as a wing commander and joint to Sri Lanka Air Force since 2005. I have pursued my higher studies in Russia. I have almost 15 years of experience of working as an engineer at SLAF and I also serve as a flight engineer in the VVIP Squadron which I consider as a great achievement in my career as being assigned, the flight engineer to the head of state’s flight. I am married and have a daughter of 9 years. My hobbies are watching movies, listening to music and watching sports. I love to travel and enjoy nature. During my school time, I have participated in sports such as swimming and cricket. I get on well with my friends, and colleagues and I like to hang out with my friends often. As a service person, I give priority to my job and fulfil my responsibilities with regards to the job at my fullest. I served under UN Mission for nearly one year in South Sudan where I was able to gain lots of experience and exposure. Working in SLAF is every day a new experience as I am able to learn lots of new things and gain experience as well as good exposure which I enjoy thoroughly. My current study program is also one such new experience offered by SLAF in order to learn new things and apply those to my job perspectives. I enjoy travelling to other countries and exploring their culture and diversity as I am also from such a background and country where different religions, and different races co-exist in peace and harmony. I was working in the Sri Lanka air force during the time of internal conflict between the Sri Lanka Government and L.T.T.E and was glad that it came to an end finally. However, we lost lots of lives of both Sinhalese as well as Tamils due to the 30-year internal conflict. I have competed by bachelor’s in Russia where I spent nearly 5 years and I am conversant in the Russian language which was a plus point at the time I joined Sri Lanka Air force the reason is at the time I joined Sri Lanka Air force was during the peak of conflict and many fighter air crafts utilized during that time were Russian made and my ability to use the language well was indeed a plus point which contributed towards getting my first appointment as a flying officer at Sri Lanka Air force. However, after serving for nearly 17 years now I am privileged to be promoted as a wing commander/ flight engineer affiliated to the VVIP squadron. Finally, I am looking forward to serve my country as a service personnel and applying my skills, knowledge and experience to whatever work I am assigned as a flight engineer. I always make sure that I set a good example to my daughter and help her gain a good education and serve society and the country in the future. I always want to share my knowledge with my co-workers and work hand in hand with them and being supportive always.

• BSc Engineering Degree

• Aeronautical Engineer

• BSc Aircraft & Helicopter Engineering
• Membership of Aerospace engineering in IEI in India
• Defense Services Technical Staff Couse (ptsc)