Sqn Ldr SMVALV Vidanaarachchi

Squadron Leader Sameera Hapuarachchi is  a Regiment Officer of Sri Lanka Air Force. His initial education was completed at Seethawaka National School in Avissawella. He commenced his officer cadetship in the Sri Lanka Air Force on 20 September 2009, at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) in intake 27. After completion of the basic military training at KDU, the Advance admin course at Sri Lanka Air Force
Acadamy China-bay,Trincomalee and the Branch Training Course at SLAF Combat Training School Diyatalawa ,he was commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer on 20^th  September 2011.

During his tour of duty, he has hold following important appointments:

Command Appointments

• Officer Commanding Operation at SLAF Base Vavuniya.

• Officer Commanding Operation at  SLAF Station Batticaloa
• Officer Commanding Squadron at SLAF Base Vavuniya.
• Detachment Commander at SLAF Detachment Mamaduwa.
• Detachment Commander at SLAF Detachment Mahiyanganaya.
• Flight Commander at SLAF Station Katukurunda.
• Flight Commander at SLAF Detachment Kettarama.

Staff Appointments

• Staff Officer I – Command Development Project Unit, AFHQ.

• Personal Staff Officer to Director Welfare.
• Personal Staff Officer to Director Training.
• Personal Staff Officer to Director Logistics.
• Assistant Adjutant – No. 21 Regt Wing at SLAF Base Anuradhapura.

Instructor Appointments

• Squadron Commander at KDU.

• Officer I/C Cadets Training at SLAF Base Vavuniya.
• Instructor for the Leadership Training conducted to university students.

In recognition of his valuable and unblemished service rendered to the Air Force/ Country, he has awarded with following medals

•   75^th Anniversary of Independence Medal
• Sewabhimani Medal
• Service Medal

• Bachelor of Arts (Defence Studies) – Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.

Squadron Leader Sameera Hapuarachchi has qualified in following local and overseas courses:

•             Junior Command and Staff Course (JC&SC)
•             Security Warfare and Advance Tactics (SWAT) Course in Pakistan
•             Explosive Ordinance and Disposal Basic Course (EOD)
•             Battalion Support Weapons Course (BSW)
•             Young Officers Course (YOC)h
•             Continues Professional Development Course

During his career of 14 years, Squadron Leader Sameera Hapuarachchi has attended for following seminars.

• International Symposium of Kotelawala Defence University in 2019.
• International Symposium of Kotelawala Defence University in 2020.
• Colombo Air Symposium-2020.
• Colombo Air Symposium-2021.
• Colombo Air Symposium-2023 .

The areas of interest of the Officer are as follows.

• Interest on “Military History” and “Current Affairs”.
• Instructor in Leadership, Management, Customs and Etiquette.