First lady officer from Tri Forces graduates from National Defence College

Colonel Buddhika Ferdinandez with Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Rtd.) at the graduation ceremony of the 3rd batch, who followed the National Security and Strategic Studies Course (NS&SS) 03/2024 of the National Defence College

By Nisal Rukshan

Colonel Buddhika Ferdinandez has made history with this graduation, marking her name as the first lady officer from the Tri Forces to graduate from the Sri Lanka National Defence College.

This vital milestone highlights Sri Lanka’s potential for women’s empowerment and strategic involvement in various sectors as a democratic nation that respects gender equality.

Ferdinandez was honoured at the graduation ceremony of the 3rd batch, who followed the National Security and Strategic Studies Course (NS&SS) 03/2024 of the National Defence College (NDC) of Sri Lanka was held at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) auditorium in a grand scale on 18 November 2024 with the presence of Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), as the Chief Guest.

Thirty-three senior Officers participated in this year’s course, representing the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force and Police, including two lady officers, one each from the SL Army and Police. In addition, eight senior officers from friendly foreign nations, including Bangladesh, India, Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attended this course. 

During this one-year NS&SS Course, the attendees underwent various modules to broaden their horizons of knowledge, skills, decision-making, policy-making, international relations, geopolitics, law, human rights and many other diverse subject areas.

This year’s NS&SS Course marked a significant milestone in the history of the Sri Lankan Tri-Forces by graduating the first-ever lady officer Colonel Buddhika Ferdinandez to complete the NS&SS Course in Sri Lanka. 

Colonel Buddhika Ferdinandez was a bright student of Holy Cross College, Gampaha and Rathnawali Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Gampaha. Following her secondary education, she attended Sri Lanka Law College, Colombo for higher studies and took oaths as an Attorney-at-Law in 1999.

She joined the Sri Lanka Army as a direct enlisted officer in the rank of Captain in 2001 and completed her basic military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyatalawa. Following the successful completion of military training, she was posted to the Sri Lanka Army General Service Corp and began her work as a military legal officer. She was subsequently promoted to the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and to the rank of Colonel in 2021.

In addition she holds a Master of Laws Degree from Colombo University and a National Diploma in Counseling.

Even though this senior lady officer was enlisted as a legal officer in the SL Army, she performed her duties in different appointments, especially in the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps, empowering the members of the Corp with her capabilities as a reputed senior lady officer in the Army. In addition, she is blessed with multiple skills such as writing, compering, painting etc.

Not only as a military officer but also as a mother, she has set an example for all women to work with motivation and enthusiasm while managing a work-life balance. This achievement marks a significant milestone in women’s empowerment in Sri Lanka, especially in the military field, demonstrating that women can climb the ladders of success with knowledge and skills without sacrificing important moments in life, regardless of gender.