CDS ATTENDS THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE AT KDU

General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) successfully commenced the 16th International Research Conference (IRC) morning today (07th September 2023) in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Auditorium with the presence of the National Security Advisor to the President, Mr Sagala Ratnayaka as the chief guest.

At the invitation extended by the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), the Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil attended the inauguration ceremony of the conference and congratulated for the milestone event of the year. He further extended his best wishes for the KDU and the staff to continue the good work and commitment to elevate the knowledge base of the personnel related to the defence sector.

This year's conference unfolded on the theme, "Achieving Resilience through Digitalisation, Sustainability, and Sectoral Transformation." The keynote speakers of the conference Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka attended in-person whilst Professor Leland H Hartwell Nobel Laureate 2001, a renowned Biologist addressed the distinguished gathering online and laid a solid foundation for the conference. The conference is scheduled to conclude tomorrow (08 September 2023).

The ceremony was also graced by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil as the Guest of Honour. Tri-Forces Commanders, former Commandants of KDA and former Vice Chancellors of KDU, local and foreign senior officers of tri-forces, diplomats, government officials, and many prominent intellectuals and dignitaries were also among the attendees of the research conference.