HE the President inaugurates the National Defence College

News | Nov, 11, 2021, 1700 Hours

By NDC

His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka declared open the National Defence College, the highest seat of learning on national security and strategy on 11 November 2021 on the invitation of the Commandant Major General Amal Karunasekara. President also launched the official website of the National Defence College in line with this significant event. The High Commissioners and Ambassadors of friendly countries, Principal Advisor to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, the Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne, Foreign Secretary Admiral Professor Jayanath Kolombage, the Secretary Ministry of Public Security Major General KJ Alwis, the Chairman University Grants Commission, Vice Chancellors of KDU and University of Jayewardenepura, the Commanders of the tri-services and the Inspector General of Police were among the distinguished invitees present on this historic occasion.

The National Defence College was a long-felt need and became a reality after a couple of decades of discussion. The College was established as the Premier security and strategic educational institution and the highest seat of learning for the senior officers of the Armed Forces, Police and Public Service to broaden their strategic intellectual capacity on policy advisory and national security policymaking. Renowned professors from KDU and the universities of Colombo, Jayawardenapura, Kelaniya and Moratuwa conduct lectures while diplomats, senior military officers, secretaries of relevant ministries and other government officials share their knowledge and expertise on subject matters.

The officers who successfully complete the one-year course curriculum of the National Security and Strategic Studies programme at NDC have the option of furthering their education to obtain an MSc or MPhil degree from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.