By Jihan Hameed | 5 June 2025
On 4 June 2025, Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education Harini Amarasuriya addressed Parliament and formally committed to restoring General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University (KDU) to its intended national and military role. Her statement acknowledged prior mismanagement, deviation from the institution’s founding intent, and the need to revise legal provisions that allowed a civilian-heavy intake against the original structure.
The Nationalist movement, having long advocated for this correction, welcomes this announcement with cautious optimism and national gratitude. Prime Minister Amarasuriya’s parliamentary remarks confirmed a renewed commitment to align KDU with its founding vision—serving the nation’s defense and producing a disciplined, strategically trained corps for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.
This moment carries particular historic weight as it honors the legacy of former Prime Minister and legendary General Sir John Kotelawala, who gifted his private estate with the express intention of establishing a military training university for Sri Lanka’s future defense leadership. That vision was diluted in recent years by excessive civilianization and commercialization, undermining KDU’s unique military identity.
While the Prime Minister’s initiative is commendable, it is also sensitive and complex, given her civilian background. Strategic decisions regarding defense training, internationalization, admissions, and legal reforms must be handled with utmost care, foresight, and coordination with national security stakeholders.
In response, a parallel policy proposal is currently being finalized and will be submitted to the Prime Minister shortly. This comprehensive policy paper—conveyed by Jihan Hameed on behalf of the Nationalist platform—is being reviewed and supported by senior defense officials (past and present), academic experts, veterans, and legal professionals. Its purpose is to assist the Prime Minister’s reform agenda by offering a structured framework with practical, enforceable recommendations.
The proposal includes:
- Realignment of the KDU’s core mission as a military-first university with civilian education playing a supportive, not dominant, role
- Clear legal reforms to reinforce KDU’s defense orientation under a revised Act
- Admission policy restructuring that prioritizes Sri Lankan cadets and ensures civilian intake remains regulated
- Postgraduate and executive programs for defense officials and public servants
- Medical, engineering, and legal faculties maintained under military disciplines
- Full military training and physical fitness requirements for all student categories
- Enhanced infrastructure, accommodation, and discipline standards for cadets and civilian students
- Establishment of a Regional Strategic and Intelligence Studies Department with Sri Lanka at the helm
- A global accreditation mechanism to ensure KDU’s recognition among international defense universities
- Voluntary Reserve Force enrolment option for civilian graduates with incentives
- Separation of three tiers: KDU Military Academy, KDU Civil-Military University, and KDU International Defense Platform
- Financial self-sustainability through local and international student fees without burdening the Defense Ministry
- Curriculum and governance oversight under military command with policy review by a national defense education council
The Prime Minister’s statement that “necessary legal changes will be undertaken” signals openness to comprehensive reform. However, the definition of “internationalization” must be carefully clarified to avoid geopolitical dilution. While international recognition of Sri Lankan defense education is welcome, structural integrity must not be compromised.
This is an opportunity to reset Sri Lanka’s defense education for the 21st century, and the Nationalist front is ready to support this reform not with confrontation, but with a parallel proposal developed from within the nation’s defense heritage, legal expertise, and academic strength.
We urge the government to adopt the upcoming policy with serious consideration, and we thank Prime Minister Amarasuriya for taking this decisive step in Parliament. The Nationalist platform will continue to support her civilian leadership with constructive recommendations and national-level consensus from those who understand the security demands of our time.
This is not just about KDU. It is about securing Sri Lanka’s future with disciplined, visionary, and strategically trained leadership for generations to come.
Jihan Hameed
THE NATIONALIST 🇱🇰
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