New SLAF Commander recalls battle action:

“I saw the Windscreen shatter...”

By Camelia Nathaniel

Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy

Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy assumed office as the 16th Commander of the Air Force on September 14, 2016.

Kapila Veediya Bandara Jayampthy (Kapila Jayampathy) joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on March 5, 1982 as an Officer Cadet in the General Duties Pilot Branch in the 10th Officer Cadet intake. Upon enlistment, he followed the Basic Ground Combat course at Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Diyathalawa before moving to the Flying Training Wing at SLAF Base China Bay on July 28, 1982 to follow his Basic Flying Training. He was then posted to No 04 Helicopter Squadron at SLAF Base Katunayake, to follow the advanced phase of the helicopter training in 1984. On completion of the advanced phase on choppers, he was commissioned as a Pilot officer in the GDP branch on April 1, 1985.

After obtaining his VIP and VVIP rating, he actively took part in all VIP and VVIP commitments undertaken by the Squadron.

He was promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal in November 2009, and made a member of the Air Force Board of Management as Director Logistics on September 5, 2011. As Director Logistics, he uplifted the Logistics Operation in the SLAF which contributed much to the smooth functioning of the organisation. On February 28, 2014, he was appointed Director Air Operations in addition to his duties as Director Logistics. It was a testament to his capacity and ability that he was able to cope with both, air operations and logistics directorates simultaneously, and was the only person to do so up to date in the history of the SLAF. He served as Director Air Operations from 2014 to 2016. To date, he maintains an unblemished service record being the seniormost helicopter instructor in SLAF since April 1995.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer, he said, that he was proud to wear the ‘Deshaputhra’ medal being the first battle casualty in the SLAF when he flew his helicopter back to base, safely, after being shot by the enemy.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: How did you start your Air Force career?

A: Although I ended up joining the Air Force, my initial desire was to join the Navy. I told my father Senarath Sirimanna Jayampathy, a Waterworks Engineer, of my desire. He gave me a book ‘Life of a Sailor’. Having read the book I decided it was not a profession for me. My father then asked me if I would like to join the Air Force instead. When I applied to the Air Force, there were 17,000 applications received and only 10 vacancies. However, I am glad I was selected. From the selected 10, except for one, the rest were interested in flying. Eventually, only four were selected to become flying officers, of whom three finally passed out and I was adjudged the best flight cadet of the 21st flight cadet course.

Q: What was your first posting?

A: My first posting was to Katunayake, to the No. 02 Helicopter Squadron. From 1985 to 1990, I was posted to No 04 Helicopter Squadron where I specialized and mastered helicopter flying and became a Qualified Helicopter Instructor (QHI) with an exceptional A-2 Instructor grading. I was the youngest QHI in the history of the SLAF.

I was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer in 1986 during my tenure at No 04 Squadron, and to the rank of Flight Lieutenant in 1989. In 1990 I was relieved from flying duties and posted to AFHQ as Staff Officer II to the Director Training. In 1991 I was again posted to No 04 Helicopter Squadron and was in charge of the training element as the OC Training.

Q: You took active part in the Operational commitments at the Northern and Eastern theaters, providing air support to ground troops in ground combat missions. What is your most memorable encounter with the terrorists?

A: We had a lot of experience while flying for the Air Force during the war. One incident I will never forget is, when the Mullaitivu camp was overrun we had to do a huge deployment having to drop off troops. I was leading the Bell 212 formation.

I led the team and landed on the beach. We were aware that the enemy would be somewhere in the vicinity. The LTTE had placed their troops within a five km radius from the camp. So we knew the risk we were taking in landing there.

As I landed the helicopter, and as the skids barely touched the sand, I noticed the sand in front of me move and suddenly realized the enemy was hiding under the sand anticipating our arrival. They were about five feet away from us.

Fortunately, due to the downwash from the helicopter blades, they could not shoot at us directly. This worked in our favour and within seconds, we got out of there. That was a day I escaped death miraculously.

Q: You were one of the first Air Force casualties of war. Can you recount that incident?

A: On February 5, 1986, I was in charge of the Batticaloa area. My task was to provide aerial cover to the STF who were going to establish a camp. My co-pilot was Ranil Gurusinghe.

We took off from Batticaloa and the STF convoy was led by the recently retired IG, N.K. Illangakoon. They finished the establishing of the camp and returned. As Gurusinghe was new to the area at the time, I wanted to show him the vicinity and the damages that were caused.

Circling around at low altitude, I suddenly saw the front windscreen shatter and felt a thud in my head and felt warm blood gushing down my face. At the time we were not wearing helmets and I was piloting the red and white helicopter that was used for VVIP transport. We fondly called it the ‘Ice Cream Cart’.

All I saw at the time was a big hole in the windscreen and the clock in front of me that read the time as 9.50. I was bleeding profusely, and reaching into the first aid box on the side took the gauze and placed it on my head. As I felt that I was passing out, I asked Ranil to take over the controls.

At that point, my whole life flashed before me. I had heard that a person’s life flashes before them at the time of death. I really experienced that. All the important events just flashed before me. I had called by brother that morning and told him I was coming home on vacation the next day.

However, when we landed in Batticaloa, I regained consciousness and asked to be allowed to place my feet on the ground. Then I knew I would make it.

Q: You have been awarded decorations for bravery, dedicated service and exceptional flying capability. What are these badges?

A: • Purna Bhumi Service Medal In 1988• Desha Putra Sammanaya In 1989• Rana Wickrama Padakkama In 1996• Weera Wickrama Vibushana Medal In 1998• Rana Sura Padakkama Four Times (03 Bars)In 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998• North & East Operations Medal In 1999• Riviresa Campaign Service Medal In 1999• 50th Anniversary Commemoration Medal In 1999• Sri Lanka Air Force 50th Anniversary Medal In 2001• North Humanitarian Operational Medal 2011• East Humanitarian Operational Medal 2011

Q: You being one of the most senior and eligible officers of the Air Force to hold the position of Commander, why were you sidelined?

A: Despite attempts to obstruct my journey and deprive me of the opportunity to become the Commander of the Air Force, finally, natural justice prevailed and I am today, sitting here on this chair. There were many attempts to tarnish my image and deprive me of my rightful position, but I don’t want to stoop down to that level and talk about those who wanted to tarnish my image. I am not going to challenge those scandalous allegations thrown at me as I knew that some day it will be cleared and I will get what I deserve. I did nothing wrong and I want to put the past behind me and move on. As a disciplined military organization, we should not allow the Air Force to be ridiculed.