KDU’s first collaboration with the Republic of Indonesia Defence University (RIDU)

General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) and the Republic of Indonesia Defense University (RIDU) held their first virtual guest lecture on March 30, 2022. The guest lecture on the Indonesian Perspective on the South China Sea was delivered by Dr. Ir. Agus H. S. Reksoprodjo of RIDU. This was possible due to a Memorandum of Understanding between KDU and the RIDU.

Delivering his lecture, Dr. Reksoprodjo focused on the geography of the South China Sea and its economy. He further deliberated on Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) alongside the applicability of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the South China Sea. Moreover, Dr. Reksoprodjo emphasised the security and community initiatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the region.

The RIDU panel was headed by Dean, Faculty of Defence Strategy – Major General Dr Priyanto and the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Defence Strategy – Admiral Dr Beni Rudiawan.

On the Sri Lankan end, the lecture was organised at the FGS Main Auditorium and was attended by Dean, Faculty of Defence & Strategic Studies (FDSS), KDU – Colonel Enoj Herath; Head, Department of Strategic Studies – Dr. Harinda Vidanage; academic staff and military staff from the Faculty of Defence & Strategic Studies. The event was moderated by the FDSS Senior Lecturer – Ms. Niruka Sanjeewani. The event was organised for the undergraduates following the BSc in Strategic Studies & International Relations (BSI) degree programme.