THE ARMY WAR COLLEGE HOLDS GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR THE FIRST TRIMESTER 2026

The Army War College (AWC) in Buttala, hosted a distinguished graduation ceremony for the first trimester of 2026 on 10 April 2026, at the AWC Auditorium. A total of 143 Student Officers successfully completed Senior Command Course No 16 (SCC 16) and Junior Command Course No 35 (JCC 35), marking a significant milestone in their military careers. Major General DKRN Silva RSP USP psc, Commandant of the AWC, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. His endorsement of the graduation register served as a formal testament to the achievements of the graduates, celebrating their hard work, dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence.

The graduating cohort for SCC 16 comprised 51 Student Officers from various regiments of the Sri Lanka Army. JCC 35 included 92 Student Officers, representing a diverse group from the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force. Notably, the course also included two Foreign Officers from Bangladesh and Pakistan, alongside one Student Officer each from the Sri Lanka Navy and the Sri Lanka Air Force, fostering a spirit of international and inter-service cooperation.

During the ceremony, the Foreign Student Officers were recognized for their outstanding contributions and presented with plaques as tokens of appreciation for sharing their cross-cultural experiences. Similarly, Officers from the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force received special plaques acknowledging the vital importance of inter-service collaboration. To honour the intellectual rigor and professional competence demonstrated throughout the course, the Commandant presented certificates and special awards to the top-performing Officers of both the SCC and JCC. These accolades reflect the AWC’s mission to foster strategic thinking and leadership excellence.

The following Officers of SCC 16 were recognized for their exceptional academic and professional performance:

First in Order of Merit: Major RRI Rodrigo psc SLE

Second in Order of Merit: Major LKK Perera Lsc SLAWC

Third in Order of Merit: Major KAES Kasthuriarachchi psc IG SLA

Best Service Paper: Major KAES Kasthuriarachchi psc IG SLA

Best Case Study: Major DAMA Doowearachchi psc CES

The top achievers for the JCC 35 included:

First in Order of Merit: Major HMH Senarathne SLAC

Second in Order of Merit: Major MMG Mabulage SLAOC

Third in Order of Merit: Major HGS Viranga SLA

In an inspiring graduation speech, the Commandant emphasized that the strength of any Army lies in the expertise and professionalism of its Officers. He urged the graduates to continue their pursuit of knowledge, noting that leadership and strategic insight are the cornerstones of military success. He encouraged the Officers to apply their newfound skills to meet future national requirements, expressing total confidence in their ability to lead with wisdom.

Concluding the ceremony, the Commandant expressed his gratitude to the Foreign Participants and acknowledged the Faculty and Staff for their dedication to maintaining the College’s high standards. This graduation reinforces the AWC’s status as a premier Centre of Excellence in Strategic Studies, dedicated to enhancing national security through academic and professional discipline.

Celebrating the achievements of the Graduates, the AWC hosted an elegant ‘Graduation Dinner’ in accordance with the age-old military formalities and the traditions where the Commandant graced the occasion as the Chief Guest together with Deputy Commandant, Chief Instructor, members of the Faculty and the Permanent Staff.