Armed forces should be geared to support the government’s mechanism in nation building process - Defence Secretary
December 11, 2020- Country needs its military to reach the highest possible standards
- Current threats are mostly spinning as natural disasters/calamities endangering human life
Armed forces should always be geared to support the Government mechanism in the nation building process to revive our country that was ruined for three decades owing to LTTE activities, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Deriving instances of failures and success in fighting the three-decade-long battle against the ruthless terrorists, he said “Wisdom and knowledge intertwined with professionalism for an officer is considered foremost, and therefore, we are in desperate need of highly qualified, skilled and professional military officers to guide our forces towards a future which will be challenging and demanding”.
Speaking on the world’s continuous evolution in the scopes of globalisation, technological advancements and other innovations while demanding countries to move abreast, the Defence Secretary said countries are striving to reach higher profiles in diplomacy, informational, military and economic spears and therefore Sri Lanka needs its military to achieve the highest possible standards attainable without any exception.
Stating that military leaders are expected to perform in all spheres, he said “ the government will expect an officer to lead their men to safeguard people against any threat whether it is manmade or natural, since current threats are mostly spinning as natural disasters/calamities endangering human life”.
Citing the Coronavirus pandemic as one of the cases which has demanded the commitment and dedication towards safeguarding people, Maj. Gen. Gunaratne asserted, “Our military along with the Police and Civil Security Department extended a noteworthy service to the nation in combatting COVID 19 while saving people and it is still in progress”.
The Defence Secretary expressed these views while addressing the distinguished audience as the Chief Guest at the Graduation Ceremony of the Course Number 14 of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Colombo today (Dec 11).
The ceremony commenced while observing a moment of silence as a tribute to the fallen War Heroes and the lighting of oil lamp in keeping with the traditions.
Successful graduates received their parchments from the Chief Guest and special awards were also presented. The annual journal of the DSCSC, ‘The Owlet', was distributed among the guests during the event.
Accordingly, 132 young officers of Sri Lankan tri-forces and 18 officers of 11 friendly foreign nations were conferred the graduation.
Thus, foreign student officers of Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia and Sudan were the alumnus of the DSCSC for this year.
The Chief Guest, Maj. Gen. Gunaratne, awarded the ‘Golden Pen’ to Maj. BGNI Karunathilaka for presenting the Best Commandant’s Research Paper.
Illustrating on investment to middle grade level in military education, he stated that the training should be given with utmost priority in the military to ensure, leaders are geared to take up any challenge and to command men with pride even being a General, Admiral or an Air Marshal.
Reasoning the fact that reaching the helm in the military would never happen overnight, he said “It needs a lot of dedication, commitment and experience along with grander wisdom and knowledge”.
Further going into detail on developing an individual who understands the grand strategic and strategic objectives set and directing forces to achieve them, he said “a firm basement has to be established at the middle grade level”.
Mentioning about the DSCSC’s accreditation with Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) and conferment of a Master Degree covering noteworthy areas such as Sri Lankan studies, international affairs, strategic and management studies, he said “officers following the course will be immensely benefitted to develop a career with a higher academic recognition”.
DSCSC being the country’s highest seat of military education has been able to train our officers to meet all such demands as professionally qualified so far, by providing high-quality and time-tested education for the betterment of the future military leaders of Sri Lanka and friendly foreign nations, he also said.
Maj. Gen. Gunaratne, during the address, extended his gratitude to all the former and current Commandants, Chief Instructors and the Directing Staff for their tireless effort.
He being a former Directing Staff member also extended his best wishes to the officers to continue the achievements in future endeavours too.
The Defence Secretary praised the Commandant, Faculty and staff of the DSCSC and the Vice Chancellor and staffers of KDU for their untiring efforts exerted throughout to uphold the glory and values amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.
Secretary of the State Ministry of Money, Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms, RMA Rathnayake, Chairperson Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit Chithrani Gunaratne, Acting Chief of Defence Staff and the Tri-Forces Commanders, KDU Vice Chancellor, Commandant DSCSC, former Commandants of the DSCSC, Additional Secretary Defence, Members of the Board of Management, Chief of Staff of Tri-Forces, respective Defence Attachés/Advisors in Sri Lanka, student officers including all foreign students and their families were also present at the ceremony.
