GENERAL CONVOCATION OF GENERAL SIR JOHN KOTELAWALA DEFENCE UNIVERSITY 2024
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University witnessed the crowning moment of achievement of the students of Intakes 35, 36, 37 and 38 at KDU General Convocation 2024 was held on 14th and 15th of October 2024 at the BMICH.
When considering the evolution of Kotelawala Defence University, it spans to almost 50 years. . Fulfilling the requirement of producing Tri-Service officers who are not only skilled but also well informed in the Defence Sciences and Management, the third Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, General Sir John Kotelawala donated his personal property of 48 acres in Kandawala Estate in 1980, inclusive of its picturesque landscape and all movable and immovable property, to establish a tri-service academy.
Thereafter, giving new life to the nation and striving under a new vision, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy was initiated under the Parliamentary Act No. 61of 1981with the noble intention of producing young officers armed with discipline and knowledge to the motherland. Subsequently, after realizing the qualitative development that had been achieved by the Defence Academy during two & half decades, the government renamed it as ‘General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University’ in 2007, uplifting Sri Lankan Tri-Service officer education to be on par with that of its international counterparts. By now, this university has obtained world recognition and is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the International Association of Universities.
With 42 years of reputation in the international realm, going beyond the restriction of offering degrees to only military personnel, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University broadened its scope and opened its doors to qualified civil students in 2009 to realize their dream of obtaining a degree in a disciplined environment on par with that of a local or international university.
At the Convocation in 2024, 1732 graduands from all faculties and affiliated military institutions were conferred with degrees by General SHS Kottegoda (Retired) WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc, the Chancellor of the University. 335 Master’s Graduands and Postgraduate Diploma holders from the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and 1397 Bachelor’s Degree holders from different faculties of KDU were among the 1732 graduands who received parchments at this year’s convocation. C/86318 LT MVC Sakya, NRX4417 LT IS Kudaligama and 12479 Fg Offr WDRS Wickramaarachchi were awarded as the best Cadet Officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force respectively. Trophy for the First in Order of Merit Awarded by Gen. SC Ranatunga VSV, USP, psc to Ms DA Oshadhi. The sword of Honour for the Best All-Round Performance of Intake 37 was awarded to NRE 4434 RGYK Rajapaksha. Secretary of Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal H.S Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) WWV,RWP and two Bars, RSP and Bar, USP, MMSc (Strat Stu – China), MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, MSc (Def & Strat Stu), fndu (China), psc graced the final Session of the convocation as the Chief Guest. The chief of defense staff, the tri-forces commanders, distinguished invitees and the family members of the graduates were among the invitees at the occasion.
