The chief guest Professor G L Peiris awarded the Golden Owl award to Major Muhammad Taimur Ashraf in recognition of his talents as the best foreign student in the course. It was a unique and singular honour for the Pakistan army officer who kept the flag of his country high as always.
The Defence Services Command and Staff College Sapugaskanda is one of the most prestigious institutions of the region and highest seat of learning in Sri Lanka. The course No 6 commenced on 3 January 2012 and terminated on 20 December 2012. A total of 103 officers, representing 56 officers from the army, 19 officers from the navy, 17 officers from the air force and 11 officers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, India and Sudan were graduated on this occasion.
Lalith Weeratunga Secretary to the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa RWP RSP psc MSc the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Additional Secretary (Development) of Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Hasitha K Balasooriya, the Vice Chancellor of Kotelawala Defence University Major General M P Peiris RWP RSP USP ndc, Additional Director General Department of State Accounts Ministry of Finance and Planning M M Saliya were present at this function.
Former commanders, foreign delegations and distinguish guests also participated attended for this ceremony. Since independence, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relations especially in the field of defence. Both nations have assisted each other during testing times in their history.