Army War College Concludes its First Symposium

The Army War College (AWC) successfully concluded its first Symposium for Battalion Commanders in the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel under the theme ‘Civil-Military Relations and Military Professionalism’.

The two-day symposium that aimed at broadening the knowledge on specific subject areas, conducted from 15 to 16 December 2022 via Zoom platform was attended by more than 400 military personnel serving at 200 different locations across the country.

Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army provided the necessary guidance and resources to the success of the Symposium.

The Commandant, AWC, Brigadier Manada Yahampath warmly welcomed all participants, and Major General Nishantha Manage, the Director General General Staff (DGGS), Sri Lanka Army delivered the opening remarks emphasizing the necessity of improving Civil-Military relations in the present security context.

Sessions focused on the topics such as ‘Conceptual and Theoretical Perspectives on Civil-military Relations’ and ‘Civil-military Relations in a Complex Security Landscape: Identifying and Bridging Gaps’, ‘Mechanisms for Democratic Civilian Control over Military’, Representation of Military in Sri Lankan Society’ and ‘Commitment of Military Commanders in Civil-military Relations in the Local Context’.

Professor (Mrs) Maneesha S. Wanasinghe Pasquel of the University of Colombo chaired the first day session, to which Brigadier Kapila Dolage, Director Training, Sri Lanka Army, Professor Prathiba Mahanamahewa, Rector of Sri Pali Campus too contributed.

Major General Nishantha Manage chaired one afternoon session. Dr Sanath De Silva from Kotelawela Defence University and Brigadier Chandana Arangalla, Brigadier Coordinator at Green Agriculture Operation Centre also shared their thoughts during the second session as Guest Speakers while the second day session was chaired by Major General (Retd) Amal Karunasekara. Mr Indika Perera, Attorney at Law and Dr George Cooke, Major General Prasanna Edirisinghe, General Officer Commanding, 65 Division, Brigadier Sajith Liyanage, Colonel Chaminda Tennakoon and Colonel Bandula Kodippili also shared their thoughts during the sessions.

A gathering of professionals joined remainder of the sessions.