Defence Services Command and Staff College

Defence Services Command and Staff College
Motto	"To War With Wisdom and Knowledge"
Established	1 January 1997
Type	Military Staff College
Commandant	Major General N. A. Ranasinghe RSP, USP, ndc, psc
Location	Batalanda, Makola, Sri Lanka
Campus	Rural
Former names	Army Command and Staff College Sri Lanka

The Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) is situated at Batalanda, Makola (South) 12 Kilometers away from Colombo and its aim to develop the professional knowledge and understanding of experienced officers of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy & the Sri Lanka Air Force to prepare them for the ranks of junior field officers in the army and the respective ranks of the Navy and Air force. The DSCSC was formally known as the Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College (ACSC).

The Commandant is a two-star appointment and the current Commandant of the DSCSC is Major General N. A. Ranasinghe RSP, USP, ndc, psc.^[1]

Objectives

Officers under training in DSCSC

The above aim is met through addressing six principal objectives, which are as follows:

• Know and be able to apply the functions and techniques of staff in war and peace.

• Know and apply the principles and techniques involved in the employment of land forces in particular, and armed forces in general, in all types of military operations.

• Analyze the function of command up to and including divisional level.

• Know the structure, deployment, roles and interdependence of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.

• Understand how the Sri Lankan defence policy is formulated and the relationship with military doctrine.

• Analyze those issues in national and international affairs, which influence the defence policies of Sri Lanka and her allies.

History

On 1 January 1997, the Staff College was established under the guidance of the then Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General R de S Daluwatte, with Maj Gen AED Wijendra, as its first Commandant.

The Sri Lanka Army was fortunate to obtain the assistance of the British Army in setting up the Staff College, especially with the preparation of the syllabus and teaching material. Initially there had been one British Army Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel attached as a Training Liaison Officer, to provide advice and teaching material from 1997 to 2001.

The Course at the ACSC being a residential one with a duration of over 11 months is similar to those being conducted by professional armies in the world. It is structured on the same lines to the former single service British Army Staff College at Camberley, and it imparts knowledge on latest military doctrines to its students in the medium of English. The first course with 30 students, including officers of the Navy and the Air Force, commenced in March 1998. In future, under a ten-year development plan, it is proposed to expand ACSC in to a Defense Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), increasing the number of student officers and opening avenues for officers from friendly foreign countries as well.

On 28 August 1998, ACSC was officially inaugurated by Her Excellency the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in the presence of the Tri Service Commanders, Lieutenant General R de S Daluwatta, Vice Admiral Cisil Tissera, Air Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody, Deputy Minister of Defence General Anuruddha Ratwatte, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lakshman Kadirgamar, past Army Commanders, the High Commissioner of UK, His Excellency Mr David Tatam and many other distinguished guests, including many Defence Attaches in the country.

The ACSC was reorganized as the Defence Services Command and Staff College 0n January 22, 2007 following the passing of the Defence Services Command and Staff College Act by parliament.^[2][3]

The Course

The DSCSC course sets out to train officers in basic command and staff techniques, but just as important, it aims to develop the intellectual attributes to cope with their future appointments and the changes that are inevitable in the years ahead. By this process we seek to develop their breadth of understanding and their ability to analyse and evaluate issues in a logical sequence.

The training course at the DSCSC runs for a duration of 11 months. The course is meant for Army, Navy and air force field/senior officers in the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Lieutenant Commander, Commander, Squadron Leader and Wing Commander. Officers who are recommended by their Regiments & services for the course have to sit for a competitive entrance examination, after which a board of senior officers make final selections.

Upon completion of the DSCSC course, officers can use the post nominal letters psc.

Course contain and duration

Orientation Module (4 weeks)

TERM 1 – Foundation Studies (10 weeks)

• Arms and Services
• Combat Services Support
• Command, Command Support and Decision Making
• Doctrine, Operations and War fighting
• Intelligence Staff Duties
• General and Logistics Staff Duties
• Logistic Staff Duties
• Operations of War
• Research Methodology

TERM 2 – Operations of War (12 weeks)

• Air Warfare
• Military Assistance to the Civil Authorities
• Operations of War
• Strategic Studies and International Affairs

TERM 3 – Operations Other Than War (10 weeks)

• Counter Insurgency Operation (COIN)
• International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
• Maritime warfare
• Sri Lanka Studies
• Strategic Studies and International Affairs
• UN Peace Support Operations

TERM 4 – Joint Operations and Technology (10 weeks)

• Administrative Studies
• Environment and Health
• Ethics Studies
• Joint Operations
• Management
• Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Defence
• Security
• Technology
• Training

Facilities

Library

The DSCSC library comprises 3 sections; the Reference Library, Lending Library and Pamphlet Room. The Reference Library is open daily and contains both general and military reference material and periodicals. The Lending Library is open during weekdays; this is principally a military library with a small collection of books and periodicals of general interest. However the college is making arrangements to enhance its collection of books through purchases and donations.

Auditorium

Most central lectures and briefings are conducted in the auditorium, which has modern audio visual aid for the conduct of such activity. This auditorium is temporarily housed at its present location awaiting completion of construction work of a more spacious and modern premises.

Computer Laboratory

The DSCSC provides computer training to students during the Orientation module, with the aim of introducing them to the modern IT Environment. Basic applications such as Microsoft Windows Operating Systems, Microsoft Office applications, Networking and the use of inter-net are part of the training.

Sports and Recreational Facilities

All student officers are encouraged to actively participate in sports and other extra curricular activities during their stay at the DSCSC. Student officers will have to qualify in the Staff College Physical Assessment tests conducted every term. The following sports facilities are available in the College. Student officers also make use of the facilities available at the Sugathadasa National Indoor Complex.

Commandants

The following have commanded the college:

• Major General A.E.D. Wijendra
• Major General Janaka Perera
• General Sarath Fonseka
• Major General Lawrence Fernando
• Major General N A Ranasinghe

See also

• Military of Sri Lanka
• Sri Lankan military academies
• Sri Lankan Army
• Sri Lankan Navy
• Sri Lankan Air Force
• The Crest of The Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College

References

• Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College, Sri Lanka Army

1. ^ Cof N addresses the Student Officers of Defence Services Command and Staff College
2. ^ Defence Services Command & Staff College Act to be presented in the parliament
3. ^ Kotelawala Defence Academy to be elevated to status of Defence University, Ministry of Defence