GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE DSCSC HELD AT THE NELUM POKUNA

The Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) celebrated a momentous occasion as the student officers of Course No17 graduated at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre yesterday (14 December). The ceremony was graced by the presence of His Excellency Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, who served as the Chief Guest.

Under the leadership of Major General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP psc IG, the Commandant DSCSC, and members of the Board of Management, the graduation and investiture ceremony commemorated the achievements of 148 Tri-Service middle-grade officers. Among these, 123 Officers hailed from the Sri Lanka Tri-Services, while 25 Officers represented friendly foreign countries.

Distinguished guests, including Mr. Sagala Rathnayake, the National Security Advisor to the President, Secretary of the Ministry of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Tri-Service Commanders, Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Commandant of National Defence College, past Commandants of DSCSC, Diplomats and close relatives of graduates, attended the occasion, honouring the achievements of these officers.

Speaking to the audience, President Ranil Wickremesinghe extended congratulations to the recently graduated officers and delved into sharing his insights about cutting-edge technology. He specifically emphasized the utilization of Artificial Intelligence and related technologies in ongoing conflicts around the world. He additionally emphasized that the conventional Modus of Operandi learned and applied in responding to current situations would no longer suffice and therefore, the President highlighted the importance of introducing novel approaches to effectively mitigate future challenges.

The President also commended the Commandant and faculty members of the DSCSC for their unwavering dedication in imparting and moulding the military knowledge of the student officers to meet established standards.

Congratulating the graduates the CDS emphasized the significance of the 'psc' military qualification which is vital for continued advancement within their respective services.

The graduation and investiture ceremony marked not only an academic achievement but also a testimony to the dedication, commitment, and challenging training undergone by these officers, preparing them for crucial roles within their respective military domains.

This event serves as a significant milestone in the careers of these officers and embodies the commitment of the DSCSC toward fostering excellence in military leadership and strategic expertise.