DSCSC at Sapugaskanda Graduates 145 More Officers Including Foreign Ones

A total of 145 Officers, comprised of Army (76), Navy (25), Air Force (26), three Officers from Bangladesh, two Officers from Nepal, three Officers from Pakistan, four Officers from Saudi Arabia and an Officer each from India, Indonesia, Maldives Rwanda, Senegal and USA who followed the passed staff college (psc) course - No 15 at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at Sapugaskanda, the highest seat of military learning for middle-grade tri-service Officers this afternoon (10) received their graduation in a glittering ceremony at Nelum Pokuna theatre.

General Kamal Gunarathna (Rtd), Secretary Defence as the Chief Guest graced the graduation ceremony, together with a host of invitees, including Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Major General Vikum Liyanage, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, representing General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, Commanders of the Navy and Air Force, Director General, Ministry of Finance, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Defence (Defence), Vice Chancellor, Kotelawala Defence University, DSCSC Officers and former Commandants, tri-service Officers at the invitation of the DSCSC Commandant, Major General Nishantha Herath and members of the Board of Management.

The Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) was established with the aim of developing the professional knowledge and understanding of selected Student Officers, both in Command and on the Staff, where all military doctrinal and strategic level planning and teachings were brought under one roof as practised in many other Armed Forces in the world.

The proceedings commenced after the day's Chief Guest was taken in procession to the auditorium. The DSCSC Commandant warmly received him and other invitees at the entrance to the main auditorium.

The Course No 15 commenced on 11th January 2021 and concluded on 10th December 2021. Spouses, parents and next of kin of the graduates were also associated with the arrangement in keeping with health rules and protocols.

The day’s Chief Guest General Kamal Gunarathna (Rtd) and the Commandant DSCSC joined the award of parchments and other special awards to all those who excelled in academic achievements during the ceremony.

Special awards were distributed among following Officers including foreign ones:

Major K.T Wathudora (Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment)

Major A.B.S.U Abeysekara (Sri Lanka Armoured Corps)

Lieutenant Commander (C) SHDS Fernando (Sri Lanka Navy)

Lieutenant Commander (PWO) K.K.C Udayanga (Sri Lanka Navy)

Wing Commander K.M.D.B Kanakarathna (Sri Lanka Air Force)

Wing Commander Apekshi Mishra (India)

Golden Pen Award

Award for the Best Commandant’s Research paper of the Course went to Wing Commander H.K.Y.U Somawansa (Sri Lanka Air Force)

Golden Owl Award

Following most outstanding local and foreign student officers who have secured the first place in the order of merits in each wing were awarded the Golden Owl Award as follows:

Foreign Student Officer: Major Abubakar Murtaza Buttaar (Pakistan)

Sri Lankan Student Officer: Major K.T Watudura (Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment)

Lieutenant Commander (C) S.H.D.S Fernando (Sri Lanka Navy)

Wing Commander K.M.D.B Kanakarathna (Sri Lanka Air Force)

Wing Commander Apekshi Mishra (India)