A farewell ceremony for Air Commodore Upali Chandratillake, Defence Attaché
26th October, 2010
On October 26, 2010 a farewell ceremony for Defence Attache of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russian Federation- Air Commodore Upali Chandratillake, was held in the Embassy of Sri Lanka. Approximately 75 people attended the event, including the defence attaches of other embassies, representatives from the Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation and Sri Lankan community in Russia. The ceremony was organized by Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russian Federation under the guidance’s of Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga.
In his speech, the Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga emphasized Air Commodore Chandratillake’s experience and his contribution toward strengthening the cooperation between the Sri Lanka and Russia.
The Sri Lanka ambassador, meanwhile, hoped that the good cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries would continue to be upgraded in the future.
He conveyed his thanks to all parties in the country for the cooperation extended to assist Air Commodore Chandratillake in executing his duties efficiently. Air Commodore Chandratillake will be succeeded by Group Captain M.D.A.P. Payoe, who began his service as the new Sri Lanka Defence Attaché this month.
Air Commodore Upali Chandratillake expressed his gratitude for the organizing of the farewell party at the Embassy of the Sri Lanka. Also he explained the current situation in Sri Lanka and how Sri Lanka tri forces helping to re-build the economy and the development of the northern and eastern provinces in Sri Lanka after long 30 years of civil war.
Finally Air Commodore Chandratillake thanked Ambassador Weeratunga and Madam Weeratunga for their kind cooperation & advices. Further he thanked Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation, Federal Security Service, Federal Service of Military and technical Cooperation and Rosoboronexport Company for the kind assistance extended to him.
During his service from April 2009 to October 2010, Air Commodore Upali Chandratillake executed many activities aimed at increasing military cooperation between the two countries, including the defence education and training of Sri Lankan defence personnel.
