An awareness programme on Drug Prevention for Officer Cadets and Day Scholars of Intake 40 of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University was conducted at the main auditorium of the Faculty of Graduate Studies on 24th January 2023. This programme was a concept of Vice Chancellor of Kotelawala Defence University, Major General Milinda Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhill. The programme was conducted under the guidance of Colonel RKARP Ratnayake RSP USP, the Dean of FDSS and Dr. (Ms.) LS Liyanage, the Director of the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality. This programme was organised in collaboration with the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB). The lectures were delivered by Mr Shakya Nanayakkara, the Chairman of NDDCB.

Nearly 500 students including Officer Cadets and Day-Scholars from 9 faculties of KDU participated in the awareness programme. Mr Shakya Nanayakkara explained the ill effects of drugs and alcohol and motivated the participants to spread the awareness of such knowledge to their friends, peers and family members. Furthermore, Mr Shakya Nanayakkara explained to the participants about preventive measures, government interventions and legislative provisions.

The Dean of the Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies, the Director of the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality, Senior Officers and Officers of the FDSS participated in the Drug Prevention and Awareness Programme.