ORIENTATION PROGRAMME FOR PROSPECTIVE DEFENCE ATTACHES/COUNSELORS CONDUCTED BY OCDS AT THE KDU

An orientation programme on ‘Defence and Diplomacy’ for the prospective Defence Attachés/Counsellors scheduled to assume duties at the Sri Lanka missions overseas and representatives from friendly foreign nations was commenced from 06th to 10th December 2021 at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.

This was the 4th iteration of the Defence Attache Orientation Course organized by Office of Chief of Defence Staff in collaboration with the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP), Switzerland as a joint venture providing expert training in Security in Diplomacy, Defence Attache Tasks, Protocol and Etiquette.

The course designed for diplomats, military officers and civil servants from foreign, defence and other relevant ministries delivered with the expertise of several distinguished lecturers marked the participation of twenty six candidates in the course out of which nine participants represented foreign countries. Keeping the future prospects alive, Colonel and equivalent ranked officers from Navy and Air Force took part in the course representing military this time.

Colonel Laurent Currit, Course Director, Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and Mr Thierry Randon, Senior Course and Event Coordinator attended the opening ceremony where Major General Milinda Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil (Ind), Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

His Excellency Dominik Furgler, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka, graced the Certificate Awarding Ceremony as the Chief Guest along with the Chief of Staff of Office of the Chief of Defence Staff and all senior officers. In addition, the five day training programme culminated with the customery banquet hosted at the Multifunctional Hall of Defence Headquarters Complex, Akuregoda by General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army.