Defence Services Command and Staff College

BRIEF WEB ARTICLE OF EXERCISE – KONTIKI_2025

Navy Wing Course Participants of Defence Services Command and Staff Collage course No 19 embarked on a leadership assessment expedition, Exercise ‘Kontiki’ along the Kelani River from 02 to 04 Jul 25 and engaged in activities which enhanced leadership and team building skills. The exercise was conducted in four phases.

The objective of the Exercise was to evaluate the Course Participants in their leadership, teamwork, cohesiveness and the organising ability of various events as Staff Officers in a stressful, complex and real time situations. This exercise paves the way for the Course Participants to research on historical, social and environmental issues relevant to the area enabling them to understand the importance of the internal water bodies.

As per the content of the exercise, the Course Participants were divided into three syndicates. In the first phase, they were tasked to design and construct three rafts with locally available materials, paying consideration for its manoeuvrability, displacement, centre of gravity, ideal draft and the shape to navigate along the Kelani River. 2nd phase of the exercise was river expedition, it was conducted from Kudagama to Kapugoda in general area Awissawella, approx a 15 km stretch along the Kelani River, and the Course Participants used bamboo sticks and oars to manoeuvre the rafts along the river. On successful completion of the event, the faculty and the Course Participants proceeded to Kithulgala harbouring site (Miyora Adventure Base Camp) to continue with the other two phases of the exercise.

During the 3rd phase, the Course Participants availed the firsthand experience in white water rafting and a number of waterborne adventure activities on 03 Jul 25 in Kithulgala area. In accordance with the fourth phase, the Course Participants engaged in leadership and team building exercises on 04 Jul 25 at Kithulgala harbouring site under the professional guidance of the training team of Special Boat Squadron (SBS) and the Directing Staff of the Navy Wing.

On completion of the exercise, a social gathering was held on 04 Jul 25 at Kithulgala Harbouring Site and the Commandant of Defence Services Command and Staff Collage graced the occasion along with Chief Instructors and members of the faculty.

Ex Kontiki_2025