With nearly 300 Sri Lankan officers commissioned from IMA alone, the academy remains a powerful symbol of India’s soft power in military diplomacy
NEW DELHI: In a testament to India’s enduring military diplomacy, two Sri Lankan officer cadets, including RMNL Rathnayake, son of senior Sri Lankan military officer Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake, were among the newly commissioned officers who passed out from the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, on Saturday.
Their commissioning brings the total number of Sri Lankan Army officers trained and groomed at this premier pre-commission training institution to 296, highlighting India’s sustained role in shaping military leadership in friendly neighbouring nations. The Passing Out Parade (POP) at IMA, known globally for its disciplined tradition and military excellence, gained additional significance with Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and a distinguished alumnus of IMA himself, presiding over the ceremony as the Reviewing Officer. Lt Gen Rodrigo’s presence at the Parade embodied the deep personal connections fostered by the IMA, as well as the broader institutional ties between India and Sri Lanka.
Addressing the gentlemen cadets (GC), the Sri Lankan general expressed immensely great pride and emotion as he revisited his alma mater, where he was commissioned as part of the 87th course in December 1990. Reminiscing about his formative years at IMA, he described his return as a deeply emotional homecoming. In his address, Lt Gen Rodrigo reminded the GCs that commissioning into the armed forces is not simply about acquiring a rank but about embracing a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and responsibility. Highlighting the ethos of IMA—duty to nation, soldiers, and the families of Bravehearts—he highlighted the enduring values of discipline, integrity, loyalty, and honour. “Respect,” Lt Gen Rodrigo stressed, “is earned daily through one’s conduct,” and invoked the revered words of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw: “Be truthful, be honest, be fearless.” His inspirational message resonated deeply, encouraging them to lead with wisdom, uphold justice, and carry forward the IMA’s storied legacy with honour.
This development further cements India’s tradition of nurturing future military leaders from friendly nations, a tradition rooted in decades of cooperation. The training at IMA has historically produced notable alumni who have gone on to lead their national militaries, including officers from neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, among others. India’s commitment to building strategic relations through military training extends beyond the gates of the Indian Military Academy (IMA).
At any given time, approximately 700 Sri Lankan Army personnel train across India’s defence institutions, including the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, the Infantry School at Mhow, the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte, Army Air Defence College at Gopalpur, and the Armoured Corps Centre and School at Ahmednagar. Such extensive collaboration enhances professional competence and strengthens interpersonal bonds, laying a strong foundation for bilateral cooperation.
The longstanding exercise “Mitra Shakti,” an annual joint military drill between India and Sri Lanka focusing on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, exemplifies the practical operational synergy resulting from such collaborative training. The most recent edition, held in Sri Lanka in August 2024, reaffirmed mutual commitment to regional stability and underscored the growing interoperability between the two Armies.
With nearly 300 Sri Lankan officers commissioned from IMA alone, the academy remains a powerful symbol of India’s soft power in military diplomacy, serving as a crucial conduit through which mutual respect and regional stability are nurtured. As the newly commissioned officers marched into the next phase of their military careers, their bonds forged in Dehradun echoed the deeper friendship and trust that continue to unite India and Sri Lanka in shared regional aspirations.
