The Graduation Ceremony of the No. 03 Defence Services Command and Staff Collage was held at the Staff College auditorium at Sapugaskanda this morning (29 December 2009). The Prime Minister of the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka Hon. Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka graced the occasion as guest of honour.

A total of 51 Officers from the tri services, one from the Police and 04 international  military officers from Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Nepal followed this intense academic program in which the students who successfully completed the stipulated course syllabus were awarded with the qualification of  ‘Passed Staff College’ as a post nominal. The Defence Services Command and Staff Collage is accredited to the University of Kelaniya and all Officers who fulfill the required criteria will be awarded with a Masters Degree in Defence Management. The student officers following this full time residential course which has a duration  of approximately one year  are required to read the compulsory modules suited to fulfill the command and staff duties requirements of the tri services.

The additional secretary for defence Mr. RMS Rathnayaka, the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Air Force Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonatilleke, the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General  Jagath  Jayasuriya,  Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe  the Commander of the Navy, the Commandant of  Defence Services Command and Staff Collage, Major General Niranjan Ranasingha  and many other senior rankers of the tri-services were present at the ceremony.

The following officers were awarded the special ‘Golden Owl’ award at the Graduation Ceremony for their outstanding performance displayed in each of the Army, Navy and Air wings.

Best Student Officer from the Army Wing - Major Chauhan (Indian Army)

Best Sri Lankan Student Officer from the Army Wing -   Major Premathilake (SL Army)

Best Student Officer from the Naval Wing -   Lieutenant Commander Kumarathunga (SL Navy)

Best Student Officer from the Air Wing  -  Wing Commander Sumanaweera (SLAF)