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National Defence College Faculty

BRIG C S Munasinghe WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc IG MSc (NS & SS)
Senior Directing Staff (SL Army)

Born in Colombo on 7th December 1969, as an only child to Munasinghe family. Currently lives in Kadawatha as a permanent resident. Primary and secondary education was obtained from Carey College Colombo. Naturally showed high level of academic ability in school and actively participated in sports as well as extracurricular activities. Played cricket and badminton. Was a prefect and reached up to the Deputy Head Prefect of the college. Held key appointments in College Interact Club, English Association, Sinhala Sahithya Sangamaya and Buddhist Association. Married to Chathuri Sumedha and blessed with two Sons Minul and Dinul and they live in Australia. Loves nature and wildlife the most and main interests are international affairs and exploring the World; had travelled to over 30 countries. Collecting currencies and Stamps are main hobbies.

To fulfil childhood aspiration of becoming a soldier joined to Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 17th January 1990. Having completed basic military training at Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyathalawa, commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 15th June 1991 and posted to the Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery. Held all the commanding positions that a Gunner officer should hold. Privileged and only officer to command three Artillery Regiments, 9th and 15th Field Regiments and became the Father of 1st UAV Regiment of Sri Lanka Army’ commanding the 15th UAV Regiment. Also was the Officer Commanding of Presidential Security during former President Mrs Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaranathunga for 3 years.

As a carrier military officer followed Artillery Young Officers’ Preparatory course, Unit Intelligence course, Potential Military Observer course, Army Command and Staff College course, Potential Defence Attaché course and National Defence College course locally and the Artillery Young Officers’ course in India, Regimental Survey course in India, Mid Carrier course in Pakistan, UNMO course in Nepal, Officers Gunnery Staff course in Pakistan and Battalion Command course in China. Over above, participated in official tours in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, India, China and Israel.

During the tour of duty served in operational and peace areas of the country in different capacities. ‘Akunu Pahara’, ‘Balawegaya’, ‘Thunder Srike’, ‘Sath Balaya’ ‘Leap Forward’, ‘Rivirasa’, ‘Rivi Kirana’,‘Batticaloa North’, ‘Sath Jaya’ are the main military operations that actively contributed as an Artillery Forward Observation Officer. Over above, backed many numbers of military operations as a Gun Position Officer including the most famous Welioya Operation in 1995 and the rescue mission of Mullativue. During the final phase of the Eelam war, fully engaged in humanitarian operations. Especially during the Wanni Humanitarian Operations being the 2nd in Command as an Artillery Coordinator for the 57 Infantry Division and later as a General Staff Office Grade 1 of Security Forces Headquarters (Wanni). Made a noticeable contribution as a staff officer, assisting the Security Forces Commander in all means to handle reception, rehabilitation, resettlement and re-integration of IDPs. Also, act as a point of contact and coordinated over 40 INGOs and NGOs worked based in Vavuniya during the Wanni Humanitarian Operations.

First Artillery officer to be awarded Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya (WWV) in the year 1995 for the exceptional bravery act in the face of the enemy during operation ‘Rivirasa’. Also awarded with Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for the gallant acts demonstrated in the field. Apart from this, 14 more campaign and service medals are been awarded.

Was a Company Commander at Sri Lanka Military Academy as an Officer Cadet instructor and Directing Staff of the Officer's Study Center at Diyatalawa. General Staff Officer 1(Coordinating) at Defense Services Command and Staff College Sapugaskanda and Colonel General Staff at the Security Forces Headquarters (Central) Diyatalawa were the main staff appointments held.

Employed under the prestigious United Nations as a Military Staff Officer at MINUSTAH - Haiti from 21st January 2014 to 30th June 2015, as an Operation Analyst at the Joint Mission Analysis Center (JMAC).

Later commanded Two Infantry Brigades; 681 and 141 Brigades. As an officer belongs to the Regiment of Artillery, had a great opportunity that very few officers get to command the Artillery Brigade. Commanded Artillery Brigade for nearly 18 months. After completion of NDC course, posted to the same prestigious institute as a Senior Directing Staff (Army). Holds MSc in (NS & SS) as the highest education qualification.

Commodore (TAS) WMA Bowatte RSP*, USP, ndu, nswc, psc, MSc(NS & WS), MPA (PIM-USJ), BSc (DS)
Senior Directing Staff (SL Navy)

Commodore (TAS) WMA Bowatte, RSP*, USP ,ndu, nswc, psc, MSc(NS & WS), MPA (PIM-USJ), BSc (DS) was born on 26th August 1969 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has joined the Sri Lanka Navy on 17th November 1991 and received his basic training as an Officer Cadet of 9th Intake at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rathmalana and Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee. He was commissioned on 04th November 1993 and obtained Bachelor of Science (Defence Studies) in Mechanical Engineering on 24th January 1995. He was specialized in Torpedo and Anti-Submarine warfare. His foreign exposure includes Sub Lieutenant Technical Course (Executive) in Bangladesh in year 1998, Long TAS Course in Pakistan in year 2001, Training of Deck Officer Course (UFAC IV Series) in Singapore in year 2005, Advance Security Cooperation Programme at Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies in United States of America in year 2016, National Security and War Course, Pakistan in 2021 and official visits to India, Indonesia and Tajikistan. He has participated fleet exercises of “Milan 2004” in India onboard SLNS Sayura and “LIMA 2019” onboard SLNS Sagara as the Commanding Officer.

Commodore (TAS) WMA Bowatte has successfully completed Staff Course at Defence Service Command and Staff College, Batalanda and successfully completed Master of Public Administration at Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayawardanapura, Sri Lanka. Further, he has obtained Master of Science degree in National Security and War Studies course in Pakistan. He has served as Commodore sea training attached Naval Fleet command before present appointment.

He has successfully Commanded different types of ships and craft including Fast Attack Craft and Naval Bases. He has held key appointments at different area Headquarters and Navy Headquarters in different capacities.

He has been awarded with Gallantry Medal Rana Sura Padakkama twice on occasions for his bravery and distinguished conduct against enemy. Further, he has been appreciated by the Commander of Navy for two occasions.

Air Commodore PN De Costa USP ndc MBA in HRM MHRM
Senior Directing Staff (Air Force)

Air Commodore PN De Costa received his education at Parakrama Maha Vidyalaya Gampaha and Royal College Colombo. He joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 17 August 1993 as an Officer Cadet of the 26th Intake and commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on 17 April 1995 in the Administrative Branch.

He graduated as the Best All-round Officer at the 17th Junior Command and Staff Course at the Junior Command and Staff College in Sri Lanka Air Force China bay in 2004. He was selected as the Most Outstanding Officer from the Sri Lanka Air Force at the inaugural National Security and Strategic Studies Course at the National Defence College of Sri Lanka in 2022. He has obtained a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Colombo and MBA Degree from the Open University of Sri Lanka. He has functioned as the Staff Officer Administration to three Commanders in the Sri Lanka Air Force, Secretary to the Chief of Defence Staff, Deputy Provost Marshal and Acting Director Provost at the Air Force Headquarters.

Air Commodore De Costa represented the SLAF in Volleyball and won Air Force and Defence Services colours for Volleyball. He had functioned as the Manager of SLAF, Defence Services and National Volleyball and Beach Volleyball teams. He functioned as the Secretary of Air Force Sports Council and Defence Services Sports Board. He is a member of the Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Committee of the World Military Sports Council (CISM) from year 2017 to-date.

He is married to Gayathri and blessed with two sons.