FDSS Field Visit of Intake 38 International Relations Students

The undergraduates of Intake 38 following the BSc in Strategic Studies & International Relations attached to the Department of Strategic Studies of the Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University went on a three-day field visit to Hambantota from 28^th October 2022 to 30^th October 2022.

A total of 21 Officer Cadets, 29 Day-scholars, three senior lecturers, five military officers, and staff from the Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies participated in the field visit. The Head of the Department Dr. Harinda Vidanage headed the contingent with Lt Col Lasith Amarasekara as the overall coordinator.

The aim of this field visit was to build a comprehensive team of students who study Strategic Studies and International Relations while providing opportunities for undergraduates to experience the functioning of seaports and airports.

The visit officially commenced on the 28^th of October 2022 with a tour of the Hambantota seaport where the undergraduates witnessed the functioning mechanisms of the Hambantota Harbor. In addition, they also visited Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Center and Birds Park / Birds Research Center on the same day. On October 29^th and 30^th, the undergraduates visited the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, and Sri Lanka School of Military Engineering. The visitors were provided food and accommodation by the KDU Southern Campus at Sooriyawewa.

The field visit stimulated fruitful discussions and widened the horizons of the undergraduates. Furthermore, they were made aware of their footing as young international relations policymakers and how these resources and facilities could be directed toward Sri Lanka’s greater good and Sustainable development.