Air Commodore Mahasen Herath (Retd)

Former Chief Procurement Officer – Sri Lanka Air Force

Air Commodore (Retd) Mahasen Herath is a seasoned professional with over 34 years of distinguished service in the Sri Lanka Air Force, where he rose through the ranks to hold senior leadership roles in procurement, logistics, human resource management, and operational command. His career reflects a proven record of strategic leadership, governance, and operational excellence in both public sector administration and commercial ventures.

As Chief Procurement Officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force, he was responsible for designing and executing procurement strategies for a wide spectrum of goods and services—ranging from general commodities to advanced technical machinery and turnkey projects. He oversaw local and international procurement, contract management, supplier negotiations, and large-scale acquisitions, reporting directly to the Air Force Board of Management and engaging with government approval processes up to Cabinet level.

In his role as Staff Officer Logistics I, he managed over 2,000 personnel across multiple disciplines, leading recruitment, training, career development, and welfare administration. His leadership emphasized integrity, accountability, and organizational efficiency, fostering a culture of discipline and performance.

Beyond military logistics, he successfully managed the Leisure and Recreation Wing of the Air Force, including the China Bay Golf Course and Marble Beach Resort, gaining hands-on experience in hospitality and tourism management with a strong commercial orientation.

His educational background includes a BA in Defence and Management from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, a Diploma in Quality Management from the Sri Lanka Standards Institute, and specialized international training in Explosives & Fuel Management and Air Load Mastery. He has also led quality improvement initiatives aligned with Total Quality Management and Kaizen practices.

Widely recognized for his strategic vision, operational expertise, and people-centered leadership, he has been decorated with a gallantry medal for battlefield bravery. Today, he brings to the Board a wealth of experience in supply chain management, governance, human capital development, and strategic operations.