Director Leaf meets with alumni in Sri Lanka and the Maldives

APCSS Director Leaf poses for a photo with APCSS Alumni.

While visiting Sri Lanka for the “Building Partnerships in South Asia Disaster Risk Reduction” workshop, APCSS Direct Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Dan Leaf used to opportunity to reconnect with alumni in Sri Lanka as well as in the Maldives.

“We held alumni gatherings in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, with 270 and 108 alumni in the two countries,” said Leaf. “The turnout was high, and the interaction reminded me of the importance of our enduring connections. These graduates of our in-residence programs are applying the lessons of their courses to further accountable and effective security sector governance.”

APCSS Director Leaf and Maj Gen Leonard Mark pose for a photo.

Nearly 50 Sri Lankan APCSS alumni participated in the alumni event to focus on improving the capacity of the alumni association. Of the many distinguished alumni participating in the event, some of the most noteworthy included Executive Course alumni: Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke (EC04-2), Chief of the Air Force, Admiral (Ret) Jayanath Colombage, Former Chief of the Navy (EC06-3), Major General (Ret) Leonard Mark, Director General, Disaster Management Center (EC05-3), and Ranjith Gunaratna, Former Ambassador to Lebanon (EC02-2). The alumni discussed the purpose and goals for their alumni association. Director Leaf presented an APCSS Alumni Achievement award to Brigadier General Prathap Tillekerathne (ASC14-1) for improving communication between the Directorate of Army Welfare and the soldiers in the field via an innovative information campaign.

APCSS Director Leaf greets Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Order, Christian Affairs
and Disaster Management
upon his arrival.

In Maldives, the APCSS alumni hosted Director Leaf and Alumni Chief John Gasner for office calls with the Minister of Defense Major General (Ret) Moosa Ali Jaleel (EC00-3); the Minister of Home Affairs, the Honorable Umar Naseer; Chief of Defence Major General Ahmed Shiyam (EC99-3 and TSC12-1), Vice Chief of Defence Brigadier General Ahmed Shahid (EC00-2), Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed (SSD10-1), and Deputy Chief of Foreign Affairs Mrs Fathimath Inaya (ASC10-1). They also participated in a security roundtable discussion with the Ministry of National Defence. Director Leaf lectured the Maldives National University on Maritime Security and participated in two cultural events with the Maldives APCSS alumni. Director Leaf also presented APCSS Alumni Achievement awards to Police Officer Ismael Naveen (CCM14-1) and various members of the National Defence Force for their outstanding work during the recent water crisis.