37TH GENERAL CONVOCATION OF GENERAL SIR JOHN KOTELAWALA DEFENCE UNIVERSITY HELD AT BMICH
The 37th General Convocation of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo, on 09 October 2026, with the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), attending as the Chief Guest.
Upon arrival, the Chief Guest was received by the Chancellor of KDU, Air Chief Marshal Kolitha Gunathilake (Retd), and the Vice Chancellor, Air Vice Marshal Indika Wickramasinghe. The Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), also attended the occasion as a Special Guest.
A total of 1,728 graduands received their degrees and postgraduate qualifications at this year's convocation, marking a significant milestone in their academic and professional journeys. During the ceremony, the Chief Guest presented trophies and gold medals to outstanding graduates of Intakes 38, 39 and 40 in recognition of their academic excellence and achievements.
The convocation also marked a significant achievement for the Sri Lanka Air Force, with 56 officers and lady officers receiving bachelor's degrees in various disciplines. These included 39 officers and 17 lady officers from the 66th and 67th intakes and the 18th and 20th Lady Officer Cadet intakes, who received undergraduate qualifications in medical, engineering, legal, management, education and related fields.
Furthermore, 45 SLAF officers received postgraduate qualifications, including master's degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies, Defence and Strategic Studies, Logistics Management, and Strategic Studies and International Relations, as well as Postgraduate Diplomas in Defence Management, an MBA and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil). These achievements reflect the SLAF's continued commitment to developing professional knowledge, strategic thinking and leadership capabilities among its officers.
Addressing the graduates, Deputy Minister Jayasekara highlighted the evolving nature of national security, emphasising that it extends beyond conventional defence to encompass economic, food, energy, cyber, health and environmental security. He underscored the important role played by KDU in integrating military professionalism with academic excellence, technological innovation and public service.
The second day's graduation session, held on 09 October 2026, was also graced by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe. The distinguished gathering included Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Secretaries of other ministries, the Chancellor of KDU, Air Chief Marshal Kolitha Gunathilake (Retd), the Vice Chancellor, Air Vice Marshal Indika Wickramasinghe, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne, and members of the Air Force Board of Management.
Upon arrival, the Chief Guest was received by the Chancellor of KDU, Air Chief Marshal Kolitha Gunathilake (Retd), and the Vice Chancellor, Air Vice Marshal Indika Wickramasinghe. The Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), also attended the occasion as a Special Guest.
A total of 1,728 graduands received their degrees and postgraduate qualifications at this year's convocation, marking a significant milestone in their academic and professional journeys. During the ceremony, the Chief Guest presented trophies and gold medals to outstanding graduates of Intakes 38, 39 and 40 in recognition of their academic excellence and achievements.
The convocation also marked a significant achievement for the Sri Lanka Air Force, with 56 officers and lady officers receiving bachelor's degrees in various disciplines. These included 39 officers and 17 lady officers from the 66th and 67th intakes and the 18th and 20th Lady Officer Cadet intakes, who received undergraduate qualifications in medical, engineering, legal, management, education and related fields.
Furthermore, 45 SLAF officers received postgraduate qualifications, including master's degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies, Defence and Strategic Studies, Logistics Management, and Strategic Studies and International Relations, as well as Postgraduate Diplomas in Defence Management, an MBA and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil). These achievements reflect the SLAF's continued commitment to developing professional knowledge, strategic thinking and leadership capabilities among its officers.
Addressing the graduates, Deputy Minister Jayasekara highlighted the evolving nature of national security, emphasising that it extends beyond conventional defence to encompass economic, food, energy, cyber, health and environmental security. He underscored the important role played by KDU in integrating military professionalism with academic excellence, technological innovation and public service.
The second day's graduation session, held on 09 October 2026, was also graced by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe. The distinguished gathering included Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Secretaries of other ministries, the Chancellor of KDU, Air Chief Marshal Kolitha Gunathilake (Retd), the Vice Chancellor, Air Vice Marshal Indika Wickramasinghe, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne, and members of the Air Force Board of Management.