13^th Graduation Ceremony of Defence Services Command and Staff College held at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre

The Graduation Ceremony of the Defence Services Command and Staff College - Course No 13 was held at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre on 13^th December 2019. The Prime Minister of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Honourable Mahinda Rajapaksa, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva.

The Defence Secretary, Major General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd), Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, Director General Department of Management and Audit, Mrs SAC Kulathilake, former service commanders, heads of the diplomatic missions and other members of the diplomatic corps, senior officers from the tri-services, spouses and parents of the graduates were also among the distinguished guests.

The Course No 13 commenced on 03rd January 2019 and a total of 157 officers comprising 76 officers from the SL Army, 33 officers from the SL Navy, 30 officers from the SL Air Force, and 18 foreign student officers representing Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and USA were graduated on completion of this course of study.

Major Rohana Ekanayake (Army), Lieutenant Commander Rangana Athukorala (Navy) and Squadron Leader Praneeth Kodikara (Air Force) won the Golden Owl Award for securing first in the order of merit in each wing. Meanwhile, Major Rohana Ekanayake (Army), Commander Prashant Mishra (Indian Navy) and Squadron Leader Praneeth Kodikara (Air Force) were awarded the Certificate of Commandant’s Honours.