NDU Alumni SL Chapter launched

The Sri Lankan Chapter of the Pakistan's National Defence University (NDU) Alumni Association was launched at a ceremony held in Colombo.

Pakistan's visiting Joint Chief of Staff Committee Chairman General Khalid Shameem Wynne, NI (M) was the guest of honour. It was also attended by Pakistan High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Seema Ilahi Baloch. Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal W D R M J Goonetileke and Army Commander Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya attended the event with members of the Alumni Association and a large number of prominent personalities.

The National Defence University Alumni Association is a platform for the Sri Lankan Officers of all three segments of the armed forces who attended training courses at the Pakistan's National Defence University, Islamabad. Air Chief Marshal W D R M J Goonetileke is the chief patron of the Alumni Association while the Pakistan High Commissioner in Sri Lanka is the co-patron.

The National Defence University is the premier institution in Pakistan, catering to the needs of senior leaderships from various segments of society, both domestic and international, in comprehending security issues, and policy and strategy formulation. The university is a centre of excellence in academic and research pursuits in diverse disciplines providing well thought out input on national security at strategic level. It imparts higher education in policy and strategy formulation at various tiers with emphasis on national security and defence, and act as a national think tank.

Several senior Sri Lankan Officers from the armed forces have been attending courses at the National Defence University annually since 1993. Currently, its Alumni Association has 26 members, who hold highly significant assignments in their respective institutions in all the segments of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.

The launch of the association during the visit of the Pakistan Joint Chief of Staff Committee Chairman to Sri Lanka is of immense importance as the time tested relationship between the two friendly countries is transforming on to a different pedestal of association after the war ended in Sri Lanka. "Pakistan is one of the countries which provided support to the Sri Lankan stance at the UNHRC session. Pakistan and Sri Lanka being located in the South Asian region and being members of various regional and international bodies such as the UN, Commonwealth, NAM and SAARC are important for each others. The relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is based on mutual trust and commonality of interest in maintaining regional peace, security and stability. Pakistan has supported the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. Both countries have shared common perceptions on almost all regional and international issue and are working together on all these forums for shared values and interests," a press release from the Pakistan High Commission said.

Since independence, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relations especially in the field of defence. Both nations have assisted each other during testing times in their histories, the release added. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have comprehensive and mutually beneficial training collaboration for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Over a period of time, a strong bond of commitment and mutual understanding has been reached between both the friendly armed forces, the release said.