15th December 2023 17:14:18 Hours
The graduation ceremony of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) Course No-17 took place on Thursday (14) afternoon at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, graced by Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President as the Chief Guest.
The DSCSC at Sapugaskanda is the highest seat of military learning for middle-grade Officers of the Tri Forces and was established with the aim of developing the professional knowledge and understanding of selected Student Officers of the Tri Services, Sri Lanka Police, Friendly Foreign Countries and other State Agencies in order to prepare them for appointments on Command and Staff whilst imparting knowledge on state administrative procedures in the public sector.
The proceedings commenced after the day's Chief Guest was ushered in procession to the auditorium after General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, together with General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera RSP USP ndu psc, Commander of the Navy, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa RSP two Bars VSV USP MSc (MOA) USA MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt MA in IS&S (UK) BSc (Def Stu) MIM (SL) AMIE (SL) rcds psc, Commander of the Air Force and Major General B.K.G.M.L Rodrigo RSP psc IG, Commandant of DSCSC warmly received the day's Chief Guest at the entrance.
The DSCSC Course No-17 was comprised of 148 undergraduates, including 25 foreigners from Bangladesh (02), India (03), Indonesia (01), Maldives (02), Nepal (02), Pakistan (02), Rwanda (01), Saudi Arabia (10), Senegal (01) and Zambia (01). Similarly, 72 Army, 26 Navy, 24 Air Force and 01 Police Officer from Sri Lanka received the 'passed staff college' (psc) graduation on the occasion, witnessed by a host of reputed scholars and invitees.
Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Other members of the Diplomatic Corps, Members of the Board of Management of the DSCSC, former Members of the Academia, Senior Officers of the Tri-Services, Spouses, Parents and next of kin of the graduates were also present during the ceremony.
The day's Chief Guest, Hon President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, together with the DSCSC Commandant during the ceremony joined the award of special accolades to all those who have excelled in academic achievements. Special awards were conferred on the following Officers:
GOLDEN OWL AWARD
1. Recipients of the Army Wing:
a. Major W.B.C.D Wijepala from the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
b. Major Rohit from the Indian Army.
2. Recipients of the Naval Wing:
a. Lieutenant Commander J.M.H.I Bandara from the Sri Lanka Navy
b. Lieutenant Commander Sunnay Sharma from the Indian Navy
3. Recipients of the Air Wing:
a. Squadron Leader G.D.D.P Senarathne from the Sri Lanka Air Force
b. Wing Commander S Mahajan from the Indian Air Force
THE COMMANDANT’S 'HONOURS':
1. Recipients in the Army Wing:
a. Major W.B.C.D Wijepala from the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
b. Major M.L.T.P Liyanaarachchi from the Sri Lanka Commando Regiment
c. Major M.D Jubaer Alam psc from the Bangladesh Army
d. Major Harry Gim from the United States Army
2. Recipients of the Naval Wing
a. Lieutenant Commander J.M.H.I Bandara from the Sri Lanka Navy
b. Lieutenant Commander Sunnay Sharma from the Indian Navy
3. Recipients of the Air Wing
a. Squadron Leader G.D.D.P Senarathne from the Sri Lanka Air Force
GOLDEN PEN AWARD
Lieutenant Commander J.M.H.I Bandara from the Sri Lanka Navy
