Sri Lanka’s National Defence College Celebrates Graduation of First Lady Officer from Tri-Forces

November 22, Colombo (LNW): The graduation ceremony of the 3rd batch of the National Security and Strategic Studies Course (NS&SS) 03/2024, conducted by the National Defence College (NDC) of Sri Lanka, was held on a grand scale at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) auditorium on November 18, 2024. The event was graced by Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, as the chief guest.

This year’s program saw the participation of 33 senior officers representing the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police, including two lady officers—one each from the Sri Lanka Army and Police. Additionally, eight senior officers from allied nations, including Bangladesh, India, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, joined the course, highlighting its international appeal.

The one-year NS&SS Course featured diverse modules designed to enhance attendees’ expertise in decision-making, policy formulation, geopolitics, international relations, law, human rights, and other critical areas.

The 2024 course marked a historic milestone as Colonel Buddhika Ferdinandez became the first female officer from Sri Lanka’s Tri-Forces to graduate from the National Defence College. This achievement underscores the nation’s commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality in strategic and defense sectors.

Colonel Ferdinandez, an alumna of Holy Cross College and Rathnawali Balika Maha Vidyalaya in Gampaha, holds a Master of Laws from Colombo University and a National Diploma in Counselling. She took oaths as an Attorney-at-Law in 1999 and joined the Sri Lanka Army in 2001 as a legal officer, completing her military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa.

Throughout her career, she has served in various capacities, including as a senior legal officer in the Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps and a key figure in the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps. Her leadership and dedication have empowered countless women in the armed forces, earning her a reputation as an exemplary officer and role model.

Colonel Ferdinandez is celebrated not only for her professional accomplishments but also for her ability to balance a demanding military career with her role as a mother. She is an accomplished writer, painter, and public speaker, embodying the modern ideal of multi-dimensional leadership.

This milestone sets a precedent for greater female participation in strategic and defense fields, reaffirming that gender is no barrier to success. Colonel Ferdinandez’s achievement inspires women across Sri Lanka to pursue excellence in all spheres of life, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.