Welcome to the Faculty of Defence Studies and Strategic Studies

A leading university with a global approach, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) is the only university offering graduate courses in defence studies in the South Asian region. Being a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (United Kingdom), we maintain world class standards for educating and grooming Officer Cadets to successfully meet the challenges of modern defence management and are proud to contribute to the making of outstanding Army, Navy and Air Force officers dedicated ” For the motherland forever “. 

Founded in 1981 as a Defence Academy, KDU was elevated to the level of a university in 1986 with the distinctive mission of ensuring a superior quality learner-centered education through academic and professional programmes combined with practical research across many disciplines in the field of defence for its students.
The university has opened its doors to civil students who wish to continue their higher studies in the fields of Engineering, Law, Management, Social Sciences and IT. KDU currently offers degree courses at both undergraduate and post graduate levels to an eclectic blend of Officer Cadets, Officers and civilians. 

Based in Rathmalana, a city 12 km from the capital of Sri Lanka, KDU is spread across a land extent of 48 acres, which is of breathtaking beauty enriched by a spectacular lake. Its natural environs and a range of unique and rare species of flora are carefully maintained to preserve the antiquity of the premises in its pristine pasThe faculty consists of two departments, namely Department of Defence Studies and Department of Strategic Studies. The Department of Strategic Studies is responsible for research work related to defence. The Department of Defence Studies is responsible for discipline, military training and the administration of officer cadets. 

The Department of Defence Studies comprises five squadrons, named Gemunu, Gajaba, Vijayaba , Parakum and Mahasen. Each squadron is formed with officer cadets of different intakes and divided into several troops for command and control. A squadron commander holds the responsibility of the entire squadron while troops are held under the supervision of troop commanders.