JASON MACDONALD
Licensed Aircraft Engineer – Qatar Airways
Former Best Student Award & Best Academic Performance Award
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (2008–2010)
Batch AME XXII
After completing his A/Levels, Jason joined the Asian Aviation Centre driven by a deep curiosity about aircraft and how these complex machines are maintained. That passion quickly turned into academic excellence, earning him both the Best Student Award and Best Academic Performance Award during his time at AAC.
Now with over 11 years of professional experience in the aviation industry, Jason serves as a Licensed Aircraft Engineer at Qatar Airways. He holds EASA CAT B1.1 and QCAA Category A & B1.1 licenses and continues to perform at an international standard.
Reflecting on his journey, Jason credits AAC for providing the strong foundation that transformed a childhood dream into a successful global career in aviation engineering.
INDRAJITH MAHILAL DE SILVA
Lead AIT Mechanical Satellite Engineer & Mechanical Test Director
Airbus Defence and Space – United Kingdom
Batch 1997I
Indrajith Mahilal De Silva has built an extraordinary career at the forefront of space exploration. Currently based in Stevenage, United Kingdom, he works at Airbus Defence and Space, holding key roles as Lead AIT Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Test Director, and Research Scientist.
He plays a pivotal role in the ExoMars / Rosalind Franklin Rover Mission, contributing to Europe’s ambitious efforts to explore Mars and search for signs of life on the red planet.
Indrajith encourages aspiring engineers to believe in themselves, maintain a clear vision, and pursue their goals with a strong “can-do” attitude—values that have guided his own journey from AAC classrooms to interplanetary missions.
RAVIENDRA S. SURIYAARACHCHI
Materials, Process & Physics (6F) – Level 4 Engineer
Aerospace Materials & Composite Engineering Specialist
Batch No. 1xxxx
Raviendra S. Suriyaarachchi is a highly accomplished aerospace engineer specializing in composite fuselage fabrication, advanced manufacturing processes, and systems engineering. His career spans innovation, research, and large-scale aerospace manufacturing.
He is the holder of eight patents, including two trade secrets, and has received numerous international awards for engineering excellence. His work has contributed to major Boeing and NASA projects, including the Cryogenic Tank Project, and he has been recognized by senior leadership for impactful technical innovations.
Raviendra credits AAC for shaping his professional journey and strongly encourages young engineers to follow their childhood dreams, emphasizing that aerospace engineering can be both life-changing and deeply rewarding.
MADURA WIJEKOON
Maintenance & Engineering – Canadian North
Madura Wijekoon joined AAC in 2001 with a simple dream—to work closely with aircraft every day. In 2005, he applied for a technical services role at SriLankan Airlines but was unable to proceed due to medical restrictions, a setback that temporarily halted his aspirations.
Seventeen years later, perseverance paid off. Madura was hired by a leading Canadian airline in a fleet modification design role, where medical exams were not required. Today, he works in Maintenance and Engineering at Canadian North.
His journey stands as a powerful reminder that determination, patience, and resilience can reopen doors long after they seem closed.
D.M. NUWAN IRANGA
Aircraft Maintenance License Holder – B1.2 (CAASL)
AME 25ᵗʰ Batch
D.M. Nuwan Iranga is a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer holding a B1.2 category license under CAASL. He has previously served as an Aircraft Mechanic at SriLankan Airlines and as an Aircraft Technician at Millennium Airlines.
He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) in Electronic & Telecommunication Engineering, as well as the Engineering Council of Sri Lanka (ECSL). Currently, he is employed at a leading international airline, continuing to build a strong global aviation career.
Rajitha Hiran De Silva
Best Student Award and Best Academic Performer Award Aircraft Maintenace Engineering (2010-2012) Batch XXVI
After completing my A/Ls, I joined the Asian Aviation Centre to commence my studies and pursue my childhood dream of entering the field of aviation. The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course was the initial step in this long and successful journey. During my time at AAC, I met many others who shared the same passion. We enjoyed every moment together and learned so much from the well-experienced lecture panel, who generously shared their knowledge with us.
I took every exam seriously, aiming to excel in my studies, and I was rewarded for that. I received the Best Academic Performance Award and the Best Student Award in my batch. Now, fresh out of college, I am qualified to apply to any airline in the world.
To all the young ones keen on entering the field of aviation: many people will offer advice, but you should listen to your heart first. Confidence is a stain that no one can wipe off. Believe in yourself, discover what you’re capable of, and give it your best shot to be the best. Aircraft engineering is a vast subject area, but as long as you have the will, I guarantee you, nothing can stop you from achieving your goals.
Dion Sahideen
Best Student Award and Best Academic Performer Award (Jointly Awarded) Aircraft Maintenace Engineering (2011-2013) Batch XXVII
I always wanted a career in the field of science and technology. Inspired by my parents’ profession and fascinated by aircraft since childhood, I chose the field of aviation after my A/Ls in 2011. The Asian Aviation Centre is well-known for educating enthusiasts who want to begin their careers in aviation. During my A/Ls in school, I always aspired to become an engineer, to be in a position of control and responsibility. I decided to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, which I found deeply satisfying. My dedicated hard work earned me the title of Batch Top in the induction program.
With comprehensive study materials and guidance from an excellent lecture panel, I completed the course in June 2013, winning both the Best Student Award and the Best Academic Performance Award. My time at AAC was adventurous and joyous. As soon as I finished the course, I was offered on-the-job training at AAC itself, where I currently work on their operating aircraft.
As a freshly graduated student, my future plan is to join an airline after completing my job training at AAC and to excel, proving to myself that I can make all my dreams come true. Choosing a career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer through hard work and perseverance has been, by far, the best decision I’ve made in my life.
N M K S Esala
Best Student Award and Best Academic Performer Award (Jointly Awarded) Aircraft Maintenace Engineering (2011-2013) Batch XXVII
From my childhood days, if there was a dream I wanted to achieve in life, it was to become an aircraft engineer. So, I joined AAC in 2011 as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering student immediately after my A/Ls. I can happily say today that the Asian Aviation Centre was the initial stepping stone for me to begin achieving my dreams. The main reason I selected AAC was the recommendation I received from ex-students and the recognition it had earned over the years.
From the first day I started at AAC, I learned a lot, not only from the syllabus, but also from the lecturers, who were kind enough to explain any doubts or questions we had related to our field. All this training helped me grow into a more well-rounded and capable person. Becoming the batch top for the year 2013 was the icing on the cake after two great years at AAC.
The moments spent with other students, conducting several fun-filled and educational activities, were unforgettable. I am extremely satisfied with the time I spent at AAC. Thinking about my future, I know it won’t be a road lined with rose petals; obviously, a lot more hard work is needed as a fresh graduate stepping into the workplace. The time has now come for me to make maximum use of the knowledge and experience gained from AAC to achieve my dream of becoming an aircraft engineer in a leading aviation company.
Edmund Praveen Samarasekera Wijetunga
Special Award for First Class in BSc (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (2011-2013) Kingston University UK
With pending A/L results, I joined the Asian Aviation Centre in 2011. Although there were many institutions offering the same degree, I chose to start the BSc (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering because the affiliation with Kingston University London seemed the best for my future.
As a self-starter and a hard worker, the first year of study seemed quite easy to me. After successfully completing my first year, I was sent for industrial training. This is when I realized my full potential and understood how competitive the industry is. The industrial training built my character and confidence, and developed my soft skills, which helped me in my final year presentation work. At the Asian Aviation Centre, I was awarded the Best Student Award in both the first and second years of study, in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Going to the United Kingdom and living on my own was a valuable experience. Hard work, together with determination, was the key to my success. I was always a self-starter, didn’t think too far ahead, but took each challenge as it came. I didn’t aim for a first-class degree, but I always wanted to give my best. I was among the very few engineering students at Kingston University London who achieved a first-class degree.
As a fresh graduate from university, I am currently working as a Graduate Engineer. I will certainly give my very best to reach the highest level, as I have always done.
Dhayan Katugaha
BEng (Hons)
Excellent teaching standards and staff, a curriculum based on a recognized UK university course, and a fascinating, immersive study environment near aircraft hangars are just a few reasons why I chose to study at the Asian Aviation Centre.
When the time came for the final year, AAC offered excellent support in preparing for my third year at Kingston.
Kingston University provides students with outstanding exposure to studying and living abroad, along with valuable insight into what current engineering industries expect from graduates.
The degree is also highly recognized in the UK and accredited by engineering institutions such as the Royal Aeronautical Society, IET, and IMechE.
The study route via AAC has also helped save money without compromising the quality of knowledge and resources gained through the degree. AAC is the best, and only, academy in Sri Lanka that offers students the opportunity to gain knowledge in a field such as Aerospace Engineering at a relatively low cost.
All these reasons, along with Kingston University being one of the best universities to study engineering, are why I would highly recommend AAC and Kingston University to any prospective undergraduate.
Kanishka Goonesekera
BEng (hons), MIET, AMIMechE
Asian Aviation Centre provided me with the valuable opportunity to study a Mechanical Engineering degree accredited by Kingston University London. The availability of excellent lecturers from some of Sri Lanka’s premier educational institutions, along with knowledgeable technical staff, guaranteed a course that was both theoretically and practically superior.
As an added benefit, I was also supported in undertaking an industrial placement, which galvanized the learning experience and gave me a solid foundation for a career in engineering.
H V R Ratnavira
I completed the Certificate in Engineering – Aircraft Maintenance (Mechanical) course at the Regency Institute of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) in 2003 (TAFE 5), followed by the Foundation Degree in Aircraft Engineering (FdEng) in 2003, and finally the BEng (Hons) Degree in Aircraft Engineering in 2007 at Kingston University, UK.
For those considering gaining a recognized higher educational qualification to pursue a career in aeronautical engineering, the ideal starting point, especially while residing in Sri Lanka, would be the Asian Aviation Centre.
It is the best aeronautical engineering academy on the island, offering experienced lecturers, a variety of courses, a reasonable fee structure, and an ideal engineering atmosphere located inside the airport.
Furthermore, AAC paves the path to enter Kingston University with ease. The Kingston University qualification is highly regarded by engineering industries in England and elsewhere, especially when it comes to employment.