ARMED FORCES MIDDLE GRADE OFFICERS' LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM - 2021

The Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, the highest military establishment in the country vested with the authority to co-ordinate with the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence to facilitate the provision of strategic directions, formulation of policies and the maintenance of the optimal operational capabilities of the Armed Forces, conducted its maiden symposium organized for middle-grade officers on the theme of ‘Military Leadership in the Contemporary World: Evolving from a Warrior to a Friend in Need’ on 13th January 2022 at the BMICH.

The symposium initiated and organized by the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil filled all important requirement of a joint training opportunity for Tri Service middle-grade officers.

This Symposium aimed to pave the way for an interactive learning experience on areas of Military Leadership in the Contemporary World with the vision of transforming military leadership to effectively manage contemporary national requirements, a task that is of paramount importance for tactical commanders in discharging their duties. The one day Symposium structured for three sessions conducted by veteran speakers, scholars and intellectuals flew through carefully sequenced presentations, panel discussions and participant-oriented group discussions to optimize the discourse on the above theme.

Dr. Sanath De Silva - Senior Lecturer, Department of Strategic Studies, Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral YN Jayarathna RWP & Bar, RSP, USP, ndu, psc MDS, MHS – Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Navy, Mr. Nilanthan Niruthan - Defence Analyst, Mr HMGS Palihakkara - Former Governor of the Northern Province, Dr. Manisha Wanasinghe Pasquel - Head of the Department, Department of International Relations, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, Major General TS Sallay RWP RSP USP ndc psc -Director General State Intelligence Service, Dr. Harinda Vidanage - Head of the Department, Department of Strategic Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Dr. George Cooke - Senior Lecturer, Department of International Relations, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, and General RMD Rathnayake (Retd) WWV RWP RSP VSV ndu psc - Secretary to the Ministry of Industries and former Commander of the Army joined in the conduct of the Symposium adding their past experiences and the expertise on the theme.

Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army extended a warm welcome to the chief guest and all participants at his delivery of the welcome speech. The Secretary of Defence, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil delivered the Keynote address gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest where Major General Ajith Dissanayake RWP RSP USP ndu IG delivered the Vote of Thanks at the culmination of the Symposium expressing his gratitude on behalf Chief of Defence Staff for all stakeholders who involved in conducting the Symposium and the participants who attended the event.