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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

30th October 2018 23:41:24 Hours

Army ‘Capstone Doctrine’ Adopted to the Organization

Sri Lanka Army in its long journey of 69 years added another milestone to its annals of history by releasing its ‘Capstone Doctrine’, which encompasses a new lexicon, comprised of theory, history, experimentation and practice during a brief ceremony at the Colombo Army Hospital auditorium this afternoon (30), presided by Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army.

The well researched compilation of this essential doctrine, produced by the Army think-tank, Army Training Command (ARTRAC) at Diyatalawa was initiated by the Commander of the Army taking a special interest and in close collaboration with Senior Officers at the ARTRAC, commanded by Major General Aruna Wanniarachchi.

Tuesday’s historic ceremony got off the ground upon arrival of the day’s Chief Guest to the venue. The proceedings began with a brief welcome note, made by Major General Rukmal Dias, Former Commander, ARTRAC who just took over as the Commander, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF).

‘Capstone Doctrine’ encompasses theory, history, experimentation and practice and lays down guidelines with which the organization is expected to function in keeping with ground realities and regional and global developments of the times. It also provides the military with an authoritative body of statements on how military forces conduct operations and provide a common terminology for use by military planners and leaders.

A comprehensive presentation on the newly-authored ‘Capstone Doctrine’ and how it has been put into words was then presented before the audience by Brigadier Nanda Hathurusinghe, Brigadier Strategy & Doctrine, ARTRAC who has been one of the heavyweights behind the realization of the project.

Next, Major General Rukmal Dias in the company of Major General Aruna Wanniarachchi, Overlooking Commander, ARTRAC presented the maiden copy of the ‘Capstone Doctrine’ to the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, amidst applause.

Afterwards, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake was invited to address the gathering.

"Most of the Armies did this with their past experiences for the future. Today, Sri Lanka Army reached a new milestone to be comprised of an Army doctrine with principles, examples from Military and validated lessons from experience and operations. Doctrine is not just what is thought or what is published or what is believing. It is an approved set of principles and methods intended to provide large military organizations with a common outlook and uniform basis for action."

"In the past 30 years the Army was trained and organized to fight as a professional Army to defeat what we call the most ruthless terrorist organization in the world. Our practices have become our principles. Our military practices and operations were not based on principles or doctrine. But it was purely on standing order procedures or SOPs. How military activities and operations are directed, mounted, commanded, executed sustained and recovered are covered in 2 Doctrine”, the Commander remarked in his address to the occasion.

Major General Dampath Fernando, Chief of Staff, Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana, Deputy Chief of Staff and Major General (Dr) Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Director General Army Health Services and Senior officers were also present at the event.bridgemedia | Sneaker & Lifestyle News