Two Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) pilots, including an officer attached to the VVIP wing, have tested positive for methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice”, Air Vice Marshal Lalith Jayaweera has confirmed.
Speaking during Derana’s Big Focus programme, Jayaweera confirmed reports circulating on social media regarding the two officers, saying internal tests had returned positive results after the SLAF acted on information it had received.
“It is true. I will explain it,” he said, adding that although the Air Force maintains strict recruitment and disciplinary standards, its personnel remain exposed to influences outside the service.
Jayaweera confirmed that one of the officers was attached to the VVIP wing but stressed that both were junior pilots who were still undergoing training.
He said the officers had not reached the required level of operational readiness to fly the President or other senior officials, noting that pilots entrusted with such duties undergo extensive additional training.
Following the positive tests, the SLAF initiated disciplinary and medical procedures against the officers.
According to Jayaweera, the two pilots are currently undergoing a mandatory six-month rehabilitation programme at a military hospital.
However, the officers have challenged the results of the internal urine tests and have been given an opportunity to have their samples examined by the Government Analyst. The SLAF is expected to make a final decision on disciplinary action after receiving those results.
Jayaweera said the Air Force had also tightened its drug-screening procedures following the incident.
On the instructions of the Air Force Commander and the Defence Secretary, pilots assigned to special VIP aircraft are now required to undergo urine tests every morning before flying.
He acknowledged that such daily testing had not previously been carried out due to logistical and financial constraints but said the measure had now been deemed necessary.
The new procedure is in addition to existing annual medical examinations and random, unannounced drug testing conducted across Air Force camps and major air bases.
