General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), one of Sri Lanka’s esteemed degree awarding seats of military learning on Friday (2), held its General Convocation-2012 at Temple Trees for conferment of Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees (Defence Studies) on 139 graduands who successfully completed studies in Management, Engineering, Management and Technical Sciences, Commerce and Arts streams.
His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, gracing the convocation ceremony as the Chief Guest presented the trophies to award winners in different streams at the invitation of KDU Chancellor, General (retd) Rohan Daluwatte after the Chancellor, together with the Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty conferred all the degrees in above streams. It was the 22nd Convocation ceremony of the KDU.
The Best Overall Performance General J. E. D Perera VSV Trophy in Master’s of Science (Defence Studies) in Management Degree stream was won by Lieutenant Commander J. P. K. P Kumara of Sri Lanka Navy while the Trophy for the Best Overall Performance in Bachelor of Science in Management (Defence Studies) stream went to Squadron Leader S. A. P. T Piyarathne of Sri Lanka Air Force.
KDU Officers of the 26th Intake, Officers of the 10th Master of Science (Defence Studies) Degree in Management and Officers of the 5th Bachelor of Science (Defence Studies) Degree in Management received their graduation after having completed their higher degree programmes.
Secretary to President Mr Lalith Weeratunge, Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is also the Chairman of KDU Board of Management, Chairman of the University Grants Commission Prof. Gamini Samaranayake, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal H.D. Abeywickrama, Inspector General of the Police, Deans of Faculties, members of the Board of Management of the KDU, Heads of universities, officials of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Academic Staff, Parents, tri-service officers and a huge gathering witnessed the day’s proceedings.
Addressing the gathering, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa attributed the success of the KDU to its vision to match with the ever changing needs of the country. Describing the importance of such universities, he said that students can now continue their higher education here in Sri Lanka itself without going to foreign universities, thereby saving valuable foreign exchange. "Now foreign students are also learning in our universities, like in the era of 'Maha Vihara' in ancient times, and it will thereby make our country an important centre of the world', the President added.
The President also said that the KDU will further expand its facilities by establishing a teaching hospital at Werahera in the future. Conveying his message to the young officers, the President said that their responsibility is to maintain the hard won peace which was gained after 30 years of war while also preserving good relations with the civil society. The President also said that service personnel are educated, well disciplined and law-abiding. These are the essential qualities which we have to flourish within the civil society. 'There are so many unforeseen forces which keep trying to take away the sovereignty of the country. And it is our duty to protect the nation, he added.
The General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) was initially established as the "General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy" by a Parliamentary Act in 1981 and was subsequently elevated to University status by the amendment Act No 27 of 1988, thereby empowering it to award Bachelors' and Postgraduate degrees in Defence Studies. Later, it was renamed as General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in the year 2007.
The KDU strives to ensure a high-quality, learner-centered educational experience through undergraduate, graduate, and professional programmes along with high quality research across many disciplines in the field of defence. It is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (United Kingdom) and maintains necessary standards for educating and grooming Officer Cadets to meet the challenges of modern defence management. Officers with exceptional performance can pursue post-graduate studies in reputed universities/institutions, in accordance with the requirements of the service to which they belong.
At present, the KDU is comprised of the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies.
Here follows the full list of Award Winners:
Award for the Best All-Round performances:
Lt JB Pun
Lieutenant Commander JPAP Kumara of Sri Lanka Navy was awarded the first in Order of Merit, MSc in Defence Studies while Squadron Leader SAPT Piyarathne was awarded the first in Order of Merit, BSc in Defence studies.
Officers of the 26th KDU intake were awarded following trophies:
* Trophy for the Best Overall Performance in academic studies, Engineering Stream
Lt JB Pun
* Trophy for the Best Overall Performance in academic studies, Management and Technical Science Stream
2/Lt MADPS De Alwis
* Trophy for the Best overall performance in academic studies, Commerce Stream
Lt KPA Kumara
* Trophy for the Best Overall Performance in academic studies, Art Stream
2/Lt IPM Ilangakoon
* Trophy for the Best Student Officer in Military Studies
Lt JHIS Jayamaha
* Trophy for the Best Sportsman
Lt ADKIS Chandrasekara
* Trophy for the Best Student Officer of the Sri Lanka Army
Lt JHIS Jayamaha
* Trophy for the Best Student Officer of the Sri Lanka Navy
S/Lt MADPS De Alwis
* Trophy for the Best Student Officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force
Fg/Off LKDNS Gunasekara
* Trophy for the First in Order of Merit
Lt JB Pun
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
.jpg) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
