New Sri Lankan officer academy

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 August 1998, 08:28 GMT]
A new officer training academy for Sri Lanka's military is expected to be opened today, by the Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga. Mr. A. S. D. Vijeyendre, is expected to be commander in charge the academy, located in Mahagola Sapuskantha.

Mr. A. S. D. Vijeyendre says that the Sri Lankan military is experiencing a severe shortage of officers. There is a shortage of officers holding the rank of major, lieutenant-colonel, colonels and Brigadiers, and though these posts have been filled routinely, the need for properly trained personal are essential, he said.

"It costs up to a million rupees a year for an officer of such rank to be trained abroad, so we felt the need to start this training here", he said.