13th March 2026
A two-day leadership development workshop was successfully conducted at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) on 06 and 07 March 2026 at the Sino-Lanka Friendship Auditorium. The programme was organised under the direction of the Commander of the Army, with the aim of enhancing leadership standards, professional responsibility and mentoring capabilities of Officers, Officer Cadets and Other Ranks at SLMA.
A series of insightful lectures was delivered by several distinguished retired Senior Officers. Major General H.C.P. Goonetilleka (Retd) RSP VSV USP ndc psc spoke on ‘Discipline, Self-Control and Professional Conduct’. Major General K.A.D.A. Karunasekara (Retd) RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc MSc addressed the topic ‘Officers’ Identity, Values and the Meaning of the Commission’, emphasising the ethical foundation of military leadership. Major General M.D.U.V. Gunatilleka (Retd) ndu USACGSC conducted a session on ‘The Officer Instructor as a Leader and a Role Model’, highlighting the responsibility of instructors in shaping future leaders, while Brigadier J.M.C. Jayaweera (Retd) RSP psc delivered the lecture series on ‘Excelling at SLMA – Leadership, Discipline and Performance within the Academy Environment’.
Further enriching the programme, Major General W.W.H.R.R.V.M.N.D.K.B. Niyangoda (Retd) RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc delivered a lecture on ‘Assessment, Fairness and Instructor’s Professional Responsibility’ and Major General U.L.J.S. Perera (Retd) RSP USP nps psc delivered a lecture on ‘Managing, Mentoring and Developing Officer Cadets’, focusing on the importance of guidance and mentorship during military training.
As a further extension of this initiative, a separate two-day workshop for Non-Commissioned Officers was also conducted to ensure that leadership principles and professional standards are strengthened across all levels of the Academy.
During the programme, Captain Y.A.M.W Jinadasa Yapa of Sri Lanka Light Infantry led a session on ‘The SLMA Instructor’s Identity’, emphasising the vital role of instructors in developing future Officers and upholding the Academy’s culture. Captain R.M Punchibanda RWP RSP USP of Special Forces discussed ‘Discipline, Drill and Standardization Excellence’, stressing the importance of consistent standards and discipline. Warrant Officer 1 S.S. Senarath Banda highlighted ‘Physical Training Leadership and Safety Culture’, advocating for safe and effective physical training practices. Warrant Officer 1 K.R.V. Senevirathna focused on enhancing instructor conduct and cadet management skills, while Warrant Officer 1 L.H.T.D. Sarath Kumara USP emphasised the need for fairness and standardisation in assessing cadet performance.
At the end of each session, the guest speakers were presented with mementoes by the Commandant of SLMA in appreciation of their valuable contributions.
