The Annual Convocation Dinner of intake 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) was glamorously held at Eagles’ Lakeside Banquet Hall – Attidiya on 06th October 2023 with the participation of Officers of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force and Day Scholars.

General SHS Kottegoda (Retd) WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc, Chancellor of the KDU graced this glorified occasion as the Chief Guest. In addition, Vice Admiral UVMP Perera RSP**, USP, ndu, psc, MMaritimePol, MSc(DS)Mgt, MSc (MS & NSSS), BA(DS) Hons, PWO, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Air Marshal RAUP Rajapaksa RSP and two Bars VSV USP MSc (MOA) USA MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt MA in IS&S (UK) BSc (Def Stu) MIM (SL) AMIE (SL) rcds psc, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force , Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara VSV USP psc, the Vice Chancellor of KDU, Major General Milinda Peiris (Retd) RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil , the former Vice Chancellor of KDU, the rectors of Southern Campus and Metropolitan Campus of KDU, Commandants of affiliated institutions, The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Def & Admin), Deans of all Faculties, Directors of KDU, Senior Military Officers, Graduated Officers, Day-Scholars, Academic and Administrative Staff of KDU participated in this memorable event.

The Convocation Dinner was replete with military decorum and traditions along with the display of the President’s Colours and University Colours. Further, the six-course menu that was served reflected a parsimonious adherence to long-preserved customs and traditions in the military, and the loyal toast was to HE the President followed with the musical accompaniment in attendance to mark the loyalty of the tri-forces to the First Citizen in Sri Lanka.

In addition, another five toasts namely a toast to the graduates by the Vice Chancellor of KDU, a toast to the staff of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University by the graduates, a toast to the Sri Lanka Army by the Sri Lanka Air Force, a toast to the Sri Lanka Navy by the Sri Lanka Army and a toast to the Sri Lanka Air Force by the Sri Lanka Navy were offered to consolidate fraternity among the tri forces in Sri Lanka with the graduates of KDU.

The event was a delightful climax for the series of events related to the graduation of 1769 graduates including more than 400 officers, and day scholars in different disciplines, and it signified the final accomplishment of their relentless journey at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.