KDA is twenty-five years old

Sir John Kothalawala Defence Academy (KDA) at Kandawala, Ratmalana marked her 25 th anniversary commemoration celebrations on Tuesday (11) after issue of a first-day cover and a stamp.

The brief ceremony commenced after the invitees lighted the traditional auspicious lamp.

A distinguished gathering of senior Ministers, Secretary of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders, Senior Officers and administrative officers graced the ceremony.

Inaugurating the day\'s proceedings, the first-day cover and the commemorative stamp were presented to both Hon. Ministers D. M. Jayaratne and Mr Ratnasiri Wickremanayake by Mr M. A. Fernando, Director, Philatelic Bureau after a two-minute silence was observed by participants in memory of the fallen heroes who graduated from the KDA and staff of the KDA. Rich resonant voices of foreign and local undergraduate cadets at KDA added colour by singing the KDA anthem together as the gathering stood in silence.

Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake who is also the Deputy Minister of Defence in his brief address extolled the vision of late Sir John Kotelawala and highlighted the importance of services being rendered by all three Armed Forces at the risk of their lives in the face of Tamil Tiger terrorism.

Minister D. M. Jayaratne addressing the gathering paid a special tribute to the degree of patience and discipline maintained by troops of the Armed Forces. The KDA founded on 11 th October 1980 in the 50-acre large Kandawala Walawwua premises has hitherto produced about 1300 graduates who are now posted for various assignments in the defence services. In addition, 73 Senior Officers of the Armed Forces and the Police have been awarded post-graduate degrees in Management Studies since its inception.

The KDA recognized by University Association of the Commonwealth after awarding its full membership has also been considered as one of the best South Asian faculties for defence studies.

Secretary Defence Major General (retd) A. K Jayawardene, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Army Commander Lt. Gen Shantha Kottegoda, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and Air Force Commander Air Marshal G. D Perera were also present on the occasion