Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College

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The Crest of The Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College

The Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College (ACSC) is situated at Batalanda, Makola (South) 12 Kilometers away from Colombo and its aim to develop the professional knowledge and understanding of selected Officers in order to prepare them for Major's and Lieutenant Colonel's appointments both in command and on the staff.

1 Objectives
2 History
3 The Course
- 3.1 Course contain and duration
4 Facilities
5 See also
6 References

[edit] Objectives

Officers under training in ACSC

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.

[edit] History

On 1st 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 in to 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.

[edit] The Course

The ACSC 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 ACSC runs for a duration of 11 months. The course is mainly meant for Army officers in the rank of Major and Lieutenant Colonel. Officers who are recommended by their Regiments for the course have to sit for a competitive entrance examination, after which a board of senior officers make final selections. A few vacancies have been offered to the Sri Lankan Navy, Sri Lanka Air force and Sri Lanka Police. Presently, the course capacity is 36 of which 30 students are from the Sri Lankan Army and three each from the Sri Lankan Navy and Sri Lankan Air Force.

[edit] Course contain and duration

Orientation Module (4 weeks)

TERM 1 – Foundation Studies (10 weeks)

Arms and Services
Combat Services Support
Command, Command Support and Decision Making
Doctrine, Operations and War fighting
Intelligence Staff Duties
General and Logistics Staff Duties
Logistic Staff Duties
Operations of War
Research Methodology

TERM 2 – Operations of War (12 weeks)

Air Warfare
Military Assistance to the Civil Authorities
Operations of War
Strategic Studies and International Affairs

TERM 3 – Operations Other Than War (10 weeks)

Counter Insurgency Operation (COIN)
International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
Maritime warfare
Sri Lanka Studies
Strategic Studies and International Affairs
UN Peace Support Operations

TERM 4 – Joint Operations and Technology (10 weeks)

Administrative Studies
Environment and Health
Ethics Studies
Joint Operations
Management
Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Defence
Security
Technology
Training

[edit] Facilities

[edit] Library

The ACSC 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Computer Laboratory

The ACSC provides computer training to students during the Orientation module, with the aim of introducing them to the modern IT Environment. Basic applications such as Microsoft Windows Operating Systems, Microsoft Office applications, Networking and the use of inter-net are part of the training.

[edit] Sports and Recreational Facilities

All student officers are encouraged to actively participate in sports and other extra curricular activities during their stay at the ACSC. 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.