'Nature of war is changing, where politics and military action intertwine' - President

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed on the need to recognize the changing nature of war, where politics and military action intertwine.

Speaking at the Defence Services Command and staff College (DSCSC) Course 17 Award Ceremony, Wickremesinghe expressed uncertainty about how these changes would unfold but emphasized the importance of understanding their implications on both military and civilian life.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also emphasized the need for a broader international perspective in military education and highlighted the evolving global landscape. 

Wickremesinghe said that he is committed to providing more opportunities for officers from various countries in Sri Lankan courses and expressed pleasure in noting the diverse international representation among the students, extending beyond Sri Lanka’s borders.

The president stressed the significance of idea exchange and international interactions, citing the profound changes occurring in the present decade. 

He outlined major geopolitical shifts, predicting new methods, strategies, technologies and global situations that armed forces worldwide would encounter by the decade’s end.

Addressing the rise of Asian armed forces, President Wickremesinghe noted their substantial capabilities compared to some Western counterparts. He discussed the implications of technological advancements, Artificial Intelligence, 3D printing, and the transition from fossil fuels. The President underscored the importance of studying social, economic, and political issues alongside military strategies.

President Wickremesinghe then delved into the complex and changing nature of conflicts, citing on-going wars and insurgencies. He drew attention to the conflict in Gaza, emphasizing its aspects, such as the global sympathy shift from Israel to Palestine. The president highlighted the political nature of the conflict and its impact on public opinion globally.

President Wickremesinghe also discussed the unique nature of the war in Gaza, where political strategies and global media play a decisive role. He highlighted the changing face of warfare, with battles extending beyond traditional battlefields into homes through media coverage.

The evolving nature of warfare, with battles extending into the media and public discourse, was a focal point.

President Wickremesinghe compared it to historical events like the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War. He noted the political manipulation of war, as seen in Hamas’s tactics, which transcend traditional military considerations.

A total of 148 officers off 72 officers from Sri Lanka Army, 26 officers from Sri Lanka Navy, 24 officers from Sri Lanka Air Force 01 officer from Sri Lanka Police, 02 officers from Bangladesh, 03 officers from India, 02 officers from Nepal, 02 officers from Pakistan, 10 officers from Saudi Arabia and an officer each from Indonesia, Maldives, Rwanda, Senegal, United States of America and Zambia consist of 25 foreign student officers have completed the course.

The first copy of the ‘Defence and Security Journal’ published by DSCSC and a special memento was presented to the President by Commandant, DSCSC, Major General B.K.G.M.L Rodrigo.

The President presented special awards, the ‘Golden Owl’ to recognised the most outstanding Sri Lankan and Foreign student officers of each wing, the ‘Golden Pen’ to the student officer who produces the best commandant’s research paper out of the three wings.