MASTERMINDS COMPETITION OF THE SRI LANKA ARMY – 2026

The ‘Masterminds Competition’ that is an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming a military force into a center of intellectual excellence was inaugurated with the gracious presence of Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, the Commander of the Army on 23 February 2026 at the Headquarters of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF).

The ‘Masterminds Competition’ has been designed to cultivate a culture of "Brain Gain" ensuring that the Army is powered by a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and qualitative workforce.

The breakdown of the competition was determined by an official draw took place on 27 January 2026, and the competitions will be executed over eight phases till the end of May 2026 at the Headquarters Premises, SLAVF.The competition is organized with the participation of all regular and volunteer battalions in the Sri Lanka Army and is conducted under a knockout format, ensuring a high-stakes environment where strategic competitors advance.

The inauguration ceremony featured a formal sequence, including the traditional lighting of the oil lamp and a formal declaration outlining the objectives of the programme and aesthetic items that added glamour to the occasion.

Symbolizing the official inauguration of the ‘Masterminds Competition’, teams competed in the inaugural round of the competition.At the conclusion of the day’s proceedings, the Commander of the Army awarded certificates of participation while extending his compliments to the winning team for their successful advancement and recognizing the teams who departed the first round of the competition.

The programme is closely supervised by Major General K V N P Premaratne RSP USP nps psc, the Commandant SLAVF. The event was attended by Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks of the Sri Lanka Army.