The general convocation 2010 for conferment of Masters and Bachelors Degrees of Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) was held Thursday (28) evening at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall with His Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Officers of the 24th Intake at KDU received their bachelor’s degrees while senior military officers received their master’s degree in this convocation.
The Chancellor of the KDU General (Retd) J. E. D. Perera in keeping with traditions received the Chief Guest and conducted him to his seat in a procession of graduands and staff. The convocation commenced soon after the National anthem rent the air, followed by the university anthem and the Chancellor's declaring the convocation open for conferment of degrees.
The Vice Chancellor afterwards announced the conferment of degrees on graduands while the Deans of the Faculties, Director Institute of Post Graduate Studies and Director of Academic Studies presented the graduands to the Chancellor for conferment. Thereafter, the Chancellor General (Retd) J. E. D. Perera signed the Register of Graduates.
The peak of the day’s event reached when HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the invitation of the Chancellor awarded the trophies to the graduates for their exceptional skills.
Captain K. K. Bombugalage of Sri Lanka Navy received the award for the best overall performance in Masters of Science (Defence Studies) while the Squadron Leader L. A. H. P. Liyanaarachchi of Sri Lanka Air Force received the award for the best overall performance in Bachelors of Science (Defence Studies). Both the Trophy for the first in order of merits and the sword of honour of Intake 24 was awarded to the 2nd Lieutenant M. C. E. Dias.
The Chief Guest, His Excellency the President after awarding the trophies to the winners addressed the distinguished gathering and said that the law of the land is applicable equally to all citizens of the country and service personnel are no exception.
The President said Forces personnel have to comply with the country’s military, civil and criminal law. He stressed that they cannot evade the civil law of the country merely because of being military personnel.
President Rajapaksa added that the government expects greater contribution from the Forces for the country’s development. He emphasized that a higher degree of discipline and tolerance is expected from service personnel.
Thereafter, the Chancellor of the KDU declared the convocation close as the National anthem marked the end of the day’s ceremony.
His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa also posed for a photograph with the graduates before leaving.
Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Air Force Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Tisara Samarasinghe, past commanders and many more senior officers of the tri forces were present at the occasion.
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