SLPA, KDU partner for Diploma in Port Security

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has commenced a Special Diploma Course on Port Security for the security personnel of the institution. The course is being conducted in collaboration with the Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) in Ratmalana.

The MOU for this Diploma Course on Port Security was signed on 24 July at the Kotelawala Defence University in Ratmalana. On behalf of the two institutions, SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama KDU Vice Chancellor Major Gen. Milinda Peiris signed the MOU.

In a special statement on the commencement of the Diploma Course on Port Security, Dr. Wickrama stated that extending professional training to the security staff of SLPA had been identified as a key requirement in this process.

“At present, we are in a mission to develop all ports, including Colombo, Hambantota, Galle, Oluvil, KKS and Trincomalee. Our aim is to reach the apex of international maritime trade sector. Therefore, our implementations consist of the latest technology and we continue to do so. At the same time, we have well understood the timely importance of developing our human resource, because they are the most vital part of all our implementations. For that purpose, we have introduced new recruitment processes to establish a human work force with the highest necessary education backgrounds.

“It is a pleasure to see that Mahapola Training Institute of SLPA is performing a greater deal of this task successfully. The new Diploma Course on Port Security will further strengthen the expertise of the SLPA’s security personnel and the SLPA’s collaborative initiation of the course with Sir John Kotelawala Defence University is a timely decision taken to facilitate the unprecedented service by the country’s prime defence university to other civil institutions in the country.”

Expressing views at the occasion, SLPA Managing Director Capt. Nihal Keppetipola stated that it was crucial to extend professional training according to well-identified international standards to all security personnel deployed at various institutions in the country. He added that he was thankful to the SLPA Chairman as well as all other officers of the two institutions for the timely implementation of the course.

KDU Vice Chancellor Major Gen. Milinda Peiris stated that the institution was to take another revolutionary step forward in its march towards becoming a renowned seat of higher learning in Sri Lanka.

“In recent times, we have been able to expand our horizons by introducing both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in divergent fields like defence and strategic studies, medicine, law, engineering, management, information and communication technology. Further, we have been taking many measures to enhance the quality of our degree programmes in line with the guidelines set by the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council of the UGC. We have enhanced our infrastructure facilities to a great extent to enable the provision of high quality higher educational opportunities for our students.

We have already taken necessary measures to invite and attract more foreign students for SAARC countries as well as other Asian countries for our degree programmes which are presently limited to a few foreign students,” he said.

He added that the course would be a great opportunity for the port security personnel to follow the Diploma programme with high level of discipline and related knowledge through the competent and experienced academic staff of the KDU and Mahapola Training Institute of SLPA.

“The sea and airports and all infrastructure involved in the inland and external transportation are vital parts of the national security; the sea and airports are especially of paramount importance in this regard. To maintain high standards of security, the relevant personnel should be given a proper training in order to maintain and upgrade their knowledge on par with the unique roles they have to play in their careers,” he added.

The Diploma Course on Port Security that will commence on 1 August and is scheduled to continue for 18 months aims to provide all required theoretical knowledge, develop the leadership and management skills relevant to implement the activities related to port security and enhance positive attitudes which help promote the capabilities of port security personnel.

SLPA Additional Managing Director Norman Weerarathne, SLPA Director Security Major Gen. Sanath Karunarathne, SLPA Mahapola Training Institute Chief Training Manager K.N. Ansar, KDU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence) Brig. Lal Gunasekara, KDU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) Prof. Ravindra Koggalage, KDU Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Brig. Nishantha Wadugodapitiya, KDU Dean of the Faculty of Defence Studies Lt. Col. Udaya Herath, KDU Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Thilak Weerasooriya and KDU Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Ranjith Perera were also present at the occasion.