The 16th International Research Conference (IRC) of the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) commenced at the KDU Auditorium in Ratmalana, 7th september with the gracious presence of the Chief of Staff to the President and National Security Advisor Sri Lanka, Hon. Sagala Ratnayaka as the Chief Guest.
The Defence Secretary, General Kamal Gunaratne graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour of the KDU IRC.
KDU Vice Chancellor (VC) Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara delivered the welcome address at the inauguration ceremony of the two-day long KDU IRC.
During the inauguration session, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. P Nandalal Weerasinghe made a Keynote Speech at the Conference while Prof. Leland Hartwell of Arizona State University USA who is a Nobel Prize Winner in Physiology and Medicine delivered a Keynote Address via online technology.
The Defence Secretary addressing the forum stated that the KDU-IRC is a testament to our commitment to seeking solutions, fostering understanding, and shaping a better world for future generations while adding “the pursuit of knowledge and the advancement of research are timeless endeavors that transcend boundaries and pave the way for progress”.
The IRC 2023 held on 07 and 08 September under the theme “Achieving Resilience through Digitalization, Sustainability and Sectorial Transformation” attracts professionals and researchers of various disciplines to one platform to share and disseminate their research findings.
The Conference that begins with the Inaugural Session will feature Plenary Sessions, Oral Presentations and Poster Presentations of disciplines including Defence and Strategic Studies, Engineering, Medicine, Computing, Law, Allied Sciences, Technology, Criminal Justice, Built Environment and Spatial Sciences, Basic and Applied Sciences and Management, Social Sciences and Humanities.
Hon. Sagala Ratnayaka and the Defence Secretary joined in giving away the Annual Research Excellence Awards to KDU academic staff and students who excelled in research.
Members of the diplomatic corps, Chancellor of the KDU General SHS Kottegoda (Retd), MOD’s Additional Secretary (Defence) Ms. Dhammika Wijayasinghe and Additional Secretary (Parliament Affairs and Policy) Mrs. Indika Wijegunawardana, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lt Gen Vikum Liyanage, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Commander of the Air Force Udeni Rajapaksha, Former KDU VC, Chancellors and VCs of other universities, Deputy VCs, Deans and Directors, former Chancellors, VCs and Commandants of KDU, senior military officers, members of the academic staff, scholars, academics and a large number of participants were also present at the occasion.
