He was orphaned at the age of four and was brought up by his uncle and aunt, Victor and Eda de Silva Siriwardena and later lived with his eldest sister, Hyacinth and her husband, Ashley Peiris at 'Ash Court', Kegalle.

Like his compatriots Rex de Silva and Ananda Kularatne he applied to join the Royal Air Force on 19 September 1940, was selected and left for England with the first batch of RAF Recruits from Ceylon in June 1941 on the SS Exeter.

On reaching the United Kingdom in September 1941, he was enlisted as a Aircraftman (2nd Class) in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

In November 1942, he was mustered as a Air Navigator with promotion to temporary Sergeant and posted to 10 OTU in Abingdon, Berkshire.

He was commissioned while serving with No 158 Squadron as a Pilot Officer,[2] General Duties (Navigator) Branch RAFVR (serial number 155926).

He left this department on 15 May 1951 to join the newly formed Royal Ceylon Air Force under the command of Group Captain Graham Bladon, an officer seconded from the RAF.

Rohan Ameresekere died on 20 March 1974 at the young age of 57, and is survived by his widow Aloma (née Dender) whom he had married on 12 November 1958, and by his son and daughter.

The citation for his DFC reads "This officer has displayed a high degree of courage and determination in navigating his aircraft to the target and back, often under great difficulties.

Ameresekere, though suffering from lack of oxygen and extreme cold continued his duties and the mission was successfully completed.

Despite shell splinters entering his compartment Flying Officer Ameresekere took evasive action and completed his allotted task.