Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), a distinguished officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force, retired in November 2021 after more than 33 years of dedicated service to the nation. At the time of his retirement, he held the appointment of Director of Training for the Sri Lanka Air Force.

In 1988, he joined the Sri Lanka Air Force and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the General Duties Pilot Branch in 1990. Throughout his career, he held several key positions, including Base Commander of SLAF Base Anuradhapura, Commandant of SLAF Academy China Bay, Base Commander of SLAF Base Katunayake, and the first Air Commander of the Southern Air Command.

AVM Thuyacontha actively participated in all major military operations, including the final humanitarian mission, logging over 7,000 flying hours as an Operations/VIP and Attack Helicopter Pilot. His service extended beyond the battlefield, with notable appointments such as Defence Adviser to the Sri Lankan High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan, and Chief Instructor at the Defence Services Command and Staff College in 2014.

In recognition of his acts of gallantry and bravery during humanitarian operations, he has been decorated with numerous prestigious awards, including Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya (WWV), Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP).