One More Batch of psc-Qualified Officers Receives Graduation

The graduation ceremony of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) Course No-16 took place Thursday (08) afternoon at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, graced by His Excellency the President Ranil Wickremesinghe 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 and 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 taken in procession to the auditorium after General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, together with Chief of Defence Staff and Tri Forces Commanders warmly received him at the entrance.

The DSCSC Course No-16 was comprised of 149 undergraduates, including 22 foreigners from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal and Zambia. Similarly, 76 Army, 26 Navy and 25 Air Force officers received the 'passed staff college' (psc) graduation on the occasion, witness by a host of reputed scholars and invitees.

Among the distinguished guests who participated in the day’s ceremony were Chief of Staff to the President and Senior Advisor to the President Mr. Sagala Rathnayake, Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugethenna, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Other members of the Diplomatic Corps, Members of the Board of Management of the DSCSC, Commandant DSCSC, Major General B.K.G.M.L Rodrigo RSP psc IG, Former Members of the Academia, Senior Officers of the Tri-Services, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Janaki Liyanage, Spouses, Parents and next of kin of the graduates.

The day's Chief Guest His Excellency, the President Ranil Wickremesinghe and General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne together with Major General B.K.G.M.L Rodrigo RSP psc IG the Commandant of DSCSC joined the award of special accolades to all those who have excelled in academic achievements during the ceremony.

Special awards were conferred on the following Officers:

GOLDEN OWL AWARD

1. Recipients of Army the Wing

 a. Major H.A.M.P Kumara from Sri Lanka Engineers.

 b. Major F.A.H.I.M Hasnain psc from Bangladesh Army.

2. Recipients of the Naval Wing

 a. Lieutenant Commander K.K.D.M.D Karunarathna

 b. Lieutenant Commander Krishnan C from the Indian Navy

3. Recipients of the Air Wing

 a. Squadron Leader H.M.N Wanasinghe

 b. Wing Commander Yasir Mustafa from Pakistan Air Force

THE COMMANDANT’S “HONOURS”

1. Recipients of the Army Wing

 a. Major H.A.M.P Kumara from Sri Lanka Engineers

 b. Major W.A.C.N Karunathilake from Sri Lanka Light Infantry

2. Recipients of the Naval Wing

 a. Commander S.I.B Firoz from Bangladesh Navy

 b. Lieutenant Commander Krishnan C from the Indian Navy

 c. Lieutenant Commander S.M Asadh from Pakisthan

3. Navy Recipients of the Air Wing

 a. Squadron Leader H.W.N Wanasinghe

 b. Wing Commander K.E.N.D Gunarathne

GOLDEN PEN AWARD

 Major H.A.M.P Kumara from Sri Lanka Engineers.