The Graduation Ceremony of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) Course No 18 was held at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre today (12 December 2024). The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General KP Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The Deputy Minister of Defence was welcomed by the Commandant of the DSCSC, Major General Kapila Dolage and members of the Board of Management.

Course No 18 commenced on 04 January 2024 and concluded on 12 December 2024. A total of 150 student officers, including 78 from the Army, 21 from the Navy, 26 from the Air Force, and one from the Police. Additionally, there were 25 foreign officers from countries like Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the United States and Zambia.
    
The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa participated in the event. Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha , Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army, Vice Chancellor General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and other members of the Diplomatic Corps, Former Commandants of the College, Members of the Board of Management of the DSCSC, Members of the Academia, Senior Officers of the Tri Services, Spouses and Parents of the graduands were among the distinguished guests.

Special Awards were awarded to graduates who have excelled in academic achievements during the ceremony by the chief guest. The list of recipients of Special Awards is given below.

Commandant’s Honours Award 

Following Student Officers who obtained an overall aggregate of 70% (B+) or above were awarded with the Certificate of Commandant’s Honours.

Army
Major KDS Silva (Sri Lanka Artillery)

Navy
Commander WDD Rodrigo

 

Golden Pen Award
Award for producing the best Commandant’s Research paper of the Course was awarded to
Commander DDP Chamara (Sri Lanka Navy)

Golden Owl Award
Following most outstanding local and foreign Student Officers who have secured the first in the order of merit in each wing were awarded with the Golden Owl Award.

Army Wing
Foreign Student Officer: Major Anoop P  (Indian Army)
Sri Lankan Student officer: Major KDS Silva  (Sri Lanka Artillery)

Navy Wing
Foreign Student Officer: Lieutenant Commander Syed Muhammad Arsalan psn (Pakistan Navy)
Sri Lankan Student Officer:  Commander WDD Rodrigo

Air Wing
Foreign Student Officer: Squadron Leader Hareen Joshi (Indian Air Force)
Sri Lankan Student Officer: Squadron Leader DHS Wijesinghe