Colombo: The National Defence College (NDC) held its graduation ceremony for Course No 04 at the Faculty of Graduate Studies Auditorium of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), attended the event as the Chief Guest.
According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Major General Chamila Munasinghe, welcomed the Deputy Minister upon his arrival. During the ceremony, the Deputy Minister conferred degrees upon 41 officers from the Tri-Services and Police, including 10 foreign military officers from India, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. The NDC is recognized as the leading institution in the country’s national security and strategic studies, as well as the pinnacle of military education.
During his address to the distinguished gathering, the Deputy Minister highlighted the government’s dedication to meeting the basic needs of all citizens, thereby reinforcing social stability a
nd national confidence. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the rights of every community and resolving disputes through peaceful, inclusive, and legitimate political processes. He further noted that stable governance allows for democratic and nonviolent management of power competition, which, in turn, fosters an environment free from coercion and instability, enabling the nation to focus on long-term development and strategic security.
Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic reforms, fiscal consolidation efforts, and administrative restructuring, the Deputy Minister stressed the necessity of safeguarding these achievements through strategic foresight, particularly in the maritime domain. Drawing from his experience, he reiterated that the absence of good governance undermines security and national stability, and emphasized that strong governance is essential for securing the nation and achieving its aspirations.
The ceremony was attended by Defence Ministry officials, members of the diplomatic corp
s, former commanders, the Vice Chancellor of the KDU, senior tri-forces and police officers, and a large number of invitees.