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Senior Directing Staff (SL Army)

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Brigadier Thusitha Bandara USP AUSWC psc
Senior Directing Staff (Army), National Defence College, Sri Lanka

Brigadier Thusitha Bandara is a distinguished officer in the Sri Lanka Army with over three decades of exemplary service. Born December 7, 1974, he has been pivotal in shaping Sri Lanka’s defence strategy, military leadership, and international defence diplomacy. Currently serving as Senior Directing Staff (Army) at the National Defence College (NDC) in Sri Lanka, he is instrumental in mentoring senior military officers and policymakers in strategic defence planning and national security.

Commissioned into the Sri Lanka Army in 1993, Brigadier Bandara has held key command and staff appointments, including Brigade Commander, Assistant Military Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Defence, and Directing Staff at the Defence Services Command and Staff College. He has also commanded an Infantry Battalion, demonstrating exceptional leadership in complex operational environments. His participation in UN peacekeeping missions and multinational military exercises underscores his commitment to global security and interoperability.

An alumnus of the Australian War College’s Defence Strategic Studies Course (DSSC), he has furthered his academic credentials with multiple postgraduate qualifications, including reading for a PhD in Security Studies at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, a Master’s in National Security and Strategy from Deakin University (2023–2024), a Master’s in Human Rights from the University of Colombo (2017–2018), a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Colombo (2014–2015), a Master of Defence Studies from the University of Kelaniya (2007), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Malaya (2009).

Brigadier Bandara has attended numerous prestigious training programs, including the Junior Command Course (India), Armed Forces Staff College Course (Malaysia), UN Staff Officers’ Course, and Counter Insurgency Jungle Warfare Course (India). His exemplary service has been recognized with several accolades, including the Utthama Seva Padakkama (USP) for distinguished service.

A respected strategist and mentor, Brigadier Bandara continues to shape the future of Sri Lanka’s defence policy, fostering strong international military partnerships and advancing national security imperatives.