The inaugural Middle Grade Officer’s Leadership Symposium commenced this morning (13 January 2022) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Colombo. The opening ceremony was inaugurated with the arrival of the Chief Guest, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Secretary to the State Ministry of National Security and Disaster Management, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd).

The Symposium was attended by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, Commander of the Navy, Senior Officers of Tri Services and distinguished scholars.

The Office of Chief of Defence Staff organized the symposium under the theme of “Military Leadership in the contemporary world: Transforming of Role from a Warrior to a friend in Need” for Middle Grade Officers of the Tri services with a vision of transforming military leadership to effectively manage contemporary national requirements which is of paramount importance for tactical commanders to discharge their duties.

The main aim of this symposium was to educate Middle Grade Officers in consonance with career development along with leadership and management strategies.

Approximately 200 participants attended the symposium, representing the tri forces. The symposium was conducted under three interactive sessions. The first session commenced under the topic of “Re – defining traditional role and task of the military in National Security”, the second session “Emerging role of military leadership in contemporary operational environment ”, subsequently the final session was conducted under the topic of “Military Mindset: Professional approach to Military Leadership”.

The symposium came to an end following the vote of thanks which was delivered by Chief of Staff of the Office of Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Ajith Dissanayake and thus marked the conclusion of the first ever “Middle Grade Officer’s Leadership Symposium ”.