Defence Services Command and Staff College

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 J C Rambukpotha RSP USP ndc psc IG.

Objectives
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 into 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.

22 January 2007 was definitely an important milestone in the history of our Armed Forces, where all military doctrinal and strategic level planning and teachings were brought under one roof, as practiced by many other Armed Forces of the world. To add value to the ceremony, the function was graced by the Secretary to His Excellency the President, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga who was the Chief Guest. DSCSC Course No 1 commenced immediately after the inauguration ceremony with 36 Student Officers from the Army, 8 Student Officers from the Navy and 10 Student Officers from the Air Force registering for the first course. The Student Officers from respective Services are functioning under three wings namely Army, Navy and Air, with greater emphasis on Joint Environment.

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 (3 Weeks)


 * English Writing, Reading and Public Speaking.
 * Information Technology.
 * Etiquette.
 * Service Writing.
 * Introduction to Arms.

Term 1 - Foundation Studies (10 Weeks)


 * Arms and Services.
 * Combat Service Support.
 * Command, Command Support and Decision Making.
 * Doctrine, Operations and War fighting.
 * Intelligence Staff Duties.
 * General Staff Duties.
 * Logistic Staff Duties.
 * Operations of War.
 * Research Methodology.
 * Sri Lanka Studies.

Term 2 - Operations of War (17 Weeks)


 * Air Warfare.
 * Military Assistance to Civil Authorities.
 * Operations of War.
 * Strategic Studies.
 * International Affairs.
 * Overseas Study Tour.

Term 3 - Joint Operations and Operations Other Than War (11 Weeks)


 * Operations Other Than War Including Counter Insurgency (COIN).
 * Management Studies.
 * Maritime Warfare.
 * Strategic Studies and International Affairs.
 * ICRC Workshop on International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Term 4 - Management and Technology (11 Weeks)


 * Joint Operations.
 * Management Studies.
 * Military Technology.
 * UN Peace Support Operations.
 * Training for Operations.
 * Security.
 * Administrative Studies.
 * Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare.

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 Operating Systems, Microsoft Office applications, Hardware, Networking and the use of internet & Email are the 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 K J C Perera RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc
 * Major General G W W Perera RWP RSP USAWC psc
 * Major General A M C W B Seneviratne USP ndc psc
 * Major General N R Marambe RWP RSP USP psc
 * Major General D S K Wijesooriya RWP RSP USP psc
 * Major General S Wanigasekera RWP RSP USP psc
 * Major General D V S Y Kulatunga RSP USP ndc psc
 * Major General L Fernando RWP RSP ndu psc
 * Major General N A Ranasinghe RSP USP ndc psc Isc
 * Major General J C Rambukpotha RSP USP ndc psc IG