[6] Dias joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as part of its 13th Officer Cadet Intake on 13 December 1984.

[3] Dias was wounded in action over Silavaturai during the opening stages of Eelam War II in 1990, as part of the SLAF's support operations of besieged Sri Lanka Army positions.

[2][3][9] On 1 June 2005, Dias was appointed Base Commander at SLAF Hingurakgoda; in 2008 he was appointed Senior Air Coordinator for the final stages of Eelam War IV, coordinating SLAF operations with the ground operations of the 57-, 58 and 59 divisions of the Sri Lanka Army.

[4][5] Dias has completed a Joint Air Warfare course in India, and is a trained Aircraft Accident Investigator following a course in Pakistan; he has also held the position of Chief Flight Safety Officer within the SLAF.

[15] This is believed to be due to allegations of war crimes committed in the past but cannot be confirmed and was not stated as a reason [16] Dias is married to Mayuri and has two children Bimsara and Visaka.