Armed forces should always be geared to assist in the nation building process to revive the country ruined for three decades owing to LTTE activities, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne said.

Addressing the Graduation Ceremony of the Course Number 14 of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Colombo on Friday, the Defence Secretary said: “Wisdom and knowledge intertwined with professionalism for an officer is considered foremost, and therefore, we are in need of highly qualified, skilled and professional military officers to guide our forces towards a future which will be challenging and demanding”.

Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said countries were striving to reach higher profiles in diplomacy, informational, military and economic spears and therefore Sri Lanka needed its military to achieve the highest possible standards attainable without any exception.

“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. 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”.

Hundred and thirty two (132) officers of Sri Lankan tri-forces and 18 officers of 11 foreign nations were received degrees at the event. Foreign student officers of Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia and Sudan were the alumnus of the DSCSC for this year.

Maj. Gen. Gunaratne also 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.

Secretary of the State Ministry of Money, Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms, R.M.A. 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.