Defence Services Command and Staff College

DEFENCE SERVICES COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE NO 15 GRADUATION CEREMONY

The Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) 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 both in Command and on the Staff where all military doctrinal and strategic level planning and teachings were brought under one roof, as practiced by many other Armed Forces of the world.

The Graduation Ceremony of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) Course No 15 was held at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre on 10 December 2021. The Secretary – Ministry of Defence General GDHK Gunaratne (Retired) WWV RWP RSP USP ndu psc MPhil graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The Secretary – Ministry of Defence was welcomed by the Commandant DSCSC Major General IHMNN Herath RSP USP psc and members of the Board of Management.

The Course No 15 commenced on 06 January 2021 and concluded on 10 December 2021. The total no of 145 officers comprising of 76 Officers from the Sri Lanka Army, 25 Officers from the Sri Lanka Navy, 26 Officers from the Sri Lanka Air Force, 3 Officers from Bangladesh, 2 Officers from Nepal, 3 Officers from Pakistan, 4 Officers from Saudi Arabia and an officer each from India, Indonesia, Maldives, Rwanda, Senegal and USA graduated on this occasion.

Members of the Board of Management of the DSCSC, Commander of the Navy, Commander of the Air Force, Director General Ministry of Finance, Additional Secretary (Defence) Ministry of Defence, Vice Chancellor General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, and Brigadier Coordinating and Secretary of the Board, Heads of the Diplomatic Missions and other members of the Diplomatic Corps, Former Commandants of the college, Members of the Academia, Senior Officers of the Tri Services, Spouses, and Parents of the graduates were among the distinguished guests.

The special Awards were awarded to graduates who have excelled in academic achievements during the ceremony and under mentioned officers were conferred with special awards by the chief guest, the Secretary – Ministry of Defence General GDHK Gunaratne (Retired) WWV RWP RSP USP ndu psc MPhil.

Commandant’s Honours Award.
Following student officers who obtained an overall aggregate of 70% (B+) or above were awarded with the Certificate of Commandant’s Honours.
Army :
Major KT Wathudura (Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment)
Major ABSU Abesekara (Sri Lanka Armourd Corps)

Navy :
Lieutenant Commander (C) SHDS Fernando, RSP & Bar (Sri Lanka Navy)
Lieutenant Commander (PWO) KKC Udayanga, RSP (Sri Lanka Navy)

Air Force :
Wing Commander KMDB Kanakaratne (Sri Lanka Air Force)
Wing Commander Apeksha Mishra (India)

Golden Pen Award.
Award for producing the best Commandant’s Research paper of the Course was awarded to
Wg Cdr HKYU Somawansa (Sri Lanka Air Force)

Golden Owl Award.
Following most outstanding local and foreign student officers who have secured the first in the order of merit in each wing were awarded with the Golden Owl Award as follows.
Army
Foreign Student officer: Major Abubakar Murtaza Buttar (Pakistan)
Sri Lankan Student officer: Major KT Wathudura (Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment)

Navy
Sri Lankan Student officer: Lieutenant Commander (C) SHDS Fernando, RSP & Bar (Sri Lanka Navy)
Air Force
Foreign Student officer: Wing Commander Apeksha Mishra (India)
Sri Lankan Student officer: Wing Commander KMDB Kanakaratne (Sri Lanka Air Force)