GRADUATION CEREMONY OF NO.19 DEFENCE SERVICES COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE
The Graduation Ceremony of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) Course No. 19 was held at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre today (16 December 2025). The Prime Minister of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The Prime Minister was welcomed by the Commandant of the DSCSC, Major General HHKSS Hewage and members of the Board of Management.
Course No. 19 commenced on January 2025 and concluded on 16 December 2025. A total of 152 student officers, including 75 from the Army, 25 from the Navy and 25 from the Air Force. Additionally, there were 27 foreign officers from 11 nations.
The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, the Commanders of the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, the Vice Chancellor of 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, the spouses and parents of the graduands.
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
Course No. 19 commenced on January 2025 and concluded on 16 December 2025. A total of 152 student officers, including 75 from the Army, 25 from the Navy and 25 from the Air Force. Additionally, there were 27 foreign officers from 11 nations.
The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, the Commanders of the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, the Vice Chancellor of 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, the spouses and parents of the graduands.
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 RAL Perera (Sri Lanka Light Infantry)
Major SHG Fernando (Commando Regiment)
Major Ananthu S Kumar (Republic of India)
Major Naim Hasnain (People's Republic of Bangladesh)
Navy
Commander HPUMK Hewasinghe
Commander M D Imran Khaled (E) psc (People's Republic of Bangladesh)
Air Force
Squadron Leader SAIN Subasinghe
Golden Pen Award
Award for producing the best Commandant’s Research paper of the Course was awarded to
Lieutenant Commander SNWAMKW Bandara (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
Sri Lankan Student Officer: Major RAL Perera (Sri Lanka Light Infantry)
Foreign Student Officer: Major Ananthu S Kumar (Republic of India)
Navy Wing
Sri Lankan Student Officer: Commander HPUMK Hewasinghe
Foreign Student Officer: Commander M D Imran Khaled (E) psc (People's Republic of Bangladesh)
Air Wing
Sri Lankan Student Officer: Squadron Leader SAIN Subasinghe
Foreign Student Officer: Squadron Leader Yousuf Yahya Abdullah Rashdi (Sultanate of Oman)
