Commander of the Navy engages with Course No. 18 DSCSC student officers in Guest Lecture

At an invitation of Commandant Defence Services Command & Staff College (DSCSC), Major General Kapila Dolage, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera on 04th December 2024 addressed the student officers of Course No. 18 of DSCSC, Sapugaskanda.

Course No. 18 at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) consists of 175 student officers, including 89 from the Army, 25 from the Navy, and 36 from the Air Force. The course also hosts 25 international officers from countries like Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the United States, and Zambia.

Upon his arrival, Commander of the Navy was warmly received by Commandant DSCSC, Major General Kapila Dolage, and ushered him for the rest of the proceedings. Meanwhile, the theme of Commander of the Navy’s address was “MILITARY LEADERSHIP, CHARACTER, STRATEGIC THINKING AND ARCHITECTURE OF SRI LANKA NAVY FOR NEXT DECADE”.

In his address to the student officers of the Defence Services Command & Staff College, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera emphasized the importance of leadership, character, and strategic thinking for future success in their military careers. He outlined the Sri Lanka Navy’s strategic plan for the next decade and discussed the evolving nature of military leadership in the age of Artificial Intelligence, where algorithms and ‘oracles’ play a critical role in decision-making. Highlighting the essence of leadership, he described it as the ability to influence, guide, and shape the behaviour of others to achieve a desired outcome. "Leadership is a tool, not an inherent quality," he stressed, noting that it can be wielded for both positive and negative purposes, as demonstrated by various leaders throughout history.

He emphasized that strategic thinking is essential for navigating the complexities of modern warfare. It involves gathering comprehensive information and analyzing it to serve the best interests of the situation. In this context, he highlighted four critical elements that military leaders must grasp to develop strategic thinking: understanding the strategic environment, long-term vision and planning, fostering innovation and adaptability, and promoting joint operations and multinational cooperation.

He highlighted that, in response to the growing threat of transnational maritime crimes, the Sri Lanka Navy has intensified its patrols and surveillance, extending operations from coastal waters to the high seas. This effort has been further strengthened through close collaboration with regional navies. He highlighted the significant progress the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has made over the past two years in positioning Sri Lanka as a key player in regional maritime security. Notably, the SLN's membership in the world’s largest maritime coalition, the Combined Maritime Force (CMF), stands as a testament to its unwavering commitment to upholding a rules-based maritime order. He also emphasized the SLN's forward-looking approach to national security, elaborating in the Sri Lanka Navy’s Maritime Strategy 2030 and beyond.

The occasion was also attended by Chief Instructor (Navy) at Defence Services Command & Staff College, Commodore Sanjeewa Premarathna, Chief Instructor (Army), Brigadier WBMKGK Weerasekara, Brigadier Coordinating, Brigadier KA Pushpakumara, Chief Instructor (Air Force), Air Commodore WPAH Perera, academic and directing staff and student officers of course no. 18.

Highlighting the significance of the occasion, the Commander of the Navy and the Commandant of DSCSC exchanged mementos as a symbol of mutual respect. Additionally, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera penned his remarks in the visitors’ book before departing the premises.