The newly appointed Dean of the Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies, Col USB Ratnayake RWP RSP psc, took over the duties as the 8th Dean of the Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University on the 6th of September 2023 at a formal ceremony that was held with the participation of the faculty staff.
Colonel Udesh Ratnayake is an alumni of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. After the studies at Wickramabahu Central College, Gampola, he joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy (KDA) on 21st of October 1994. After completion of the basic military training at KDA and Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA), he was posted to the pioneer elite Regiment of Sri Lanka Army, the Commando Regiment.