As per the distinguished invitation extended by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, a special motivational lecture was conducted at the Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Auditorium on 19th February 2024 under the esteemed guidance of the Deputy Area Commander and the Commandant Naval & Maritime Academy. Colonel (Retd) Shiam Vidurapola, drawing from the wealth of wisdom accumulated during his illustrious military and civil career, delivered a high-impact keynote address. The event was organized to inspire and foster a sense of motivation and determination among the attendees.
Colonel (Retd) Shiam Vidurupola is a seasoned specialist in security management, development, and humanitarian emergency response, an extensive expertise in battlefield, joint services operations, and higher strategic planning. His successful career records span across various domains, including commendable contributions to counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, intelligence, and national security campaigns. Serving as a Diplomat for Sri Lanka, Colonel Vidurupola held the prestigious Defence Advisor’s position in London for four years, overseeing matters throughout Europe. With a sound academic foundation in International Relations from Kent, UK, and the Conflict Security and Development Group (CSDG) at Kings College London, he exemplifies a multifaceted professional with a wealth of experience in both military and diplomatic arenas.
The lecture was conducted with the gracious presence of the Deputy Area Commander and the Commandant Naval and Maritime Academy Commodore Buddhika Liyanagamege, senior officers, officers, Student Officer Under Trainees and Officer Under Trainees. The lecture could broaden the horizons of knowledge of the young officers, especially the prospective navy officers who are undergoing training at NMA. Colonel (Retd) Shiam Vidurupola emphasized honour in the military and the stewardship of the profession while taking his own experiences to inspire the young officers to emerge as great military leaders with professionalism. Further, the lecture was entailed with a question and answer session. Commodore Buddhika Liyanagamage presented a memento to the guest speaker to mark the event and convey the heartiest appreciation of all the participants.
