Two Sri Lankan Cadets Complete Pre-Commission Training At IMA

New Delhi: The 156th Passing Out Parade of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun on Saturday marked another historic milestone in the institution's international outreach, as two Sri Lankan officer cadets - including RMNL Rathnayake, son of Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake -were commissioned into the Sri Lanka Army.

Their inclusion brings the total number of Sri Lankan officers commissioned from the IMA to 296, underscoring India's long-standing role in shaping military leadership across the region.

In total, 667 cadets - including 451 from the 156 Regular Course, 45 from the Technical Entry Scheme, and 139 from the Technical Graduate Course and Special Commissioned Officers (SCO-54) - were commissioned as officers during the June 14 ceremony.

Thirty-two of those cadets hailed from nine friendly foreign countries.

Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of Sri Lanka Army pipped his son, Foreign Officer Cadet RMNL Rathnayake, to be a Commissioned Officer in the Sri Lanka Army. This pipping ceremony brings the total number of Sri Lankan Army Officers commissioned from #IMA to 296, highlighting India's... twitter/BDQ4ib1X9D

- ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 14, 2025

A Powerful Homecoming for Sri Lanka Army Chief

Presiding over the ceremony as Reviewing Officer was Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, who himself was commissioned from the IMA in December 1990 as part of the 87th Course.

His return to the academy, this time to witness the commissioning of a new generation - including his fellow countrymen - was marked by deep personal significance.

Addressing the cadets, Lt Gen Rodrigo described the occasion as a "profoundly emotional homecoming" and urged the young officers to embrace the military not just as a profession, but as a lifelong commitment to service, responsibility, and leadership.

Sri Lankan Army Chief reviewing IMA passing out parade, two Sri Lankan officer cadets commissioned, included RMNL Rathnayake, son of Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake. So far 296 Sri Lankan cadets passed out from IMA. twitter/RRTS21OiJL

- Anish Singh (@anishsingh21) June 14, 2025

India's Role in Regional Military Leadership

Beyond officer commissioning, the IMA remains a key node in India's broader defence cooperation framework.

The Indian Army supports foreign military leadership through a wide range of initiatives: hosting bilateral and multilateral exercises, deploying training missions abroad - such as the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan - and offering specialized training programs, including those tailored for ASEAN female officers and technical staff.

Institutions like the Defence Services Staff College, Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Infantry School, and School of Artillery also serve as platforms for regional capacity building.

High-level defence dialogues and joint planning efforts further reinforce these ties, cultivating a shared strategic vision among friendly foreign armies.

The commissioning of the two Sri Lankan cadets not only adds to this tradition but strengthens India's enduring commitment to regional peace, professionalism, and interoperability through military diplomacy.

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