Rajapaksa opens new ‘National Defence College’ as militarisation rumbles on

Sri Lanka’s president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the chief guest at a ceremony to open a new “National Defence College” in Colombo this week, as the military continues its expansion on the island.

Rajapaksa, who stands accused of war crimes, was flanked by several senior military officers who also stand accused of rights abuses, as they sang the Sri Lankan national anthem.

“High Commissioners of India and Bangladesh, Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, Ambassador for People’s Republic of China, Defence Attaches of several embassies and a group of university lecturers were also associated with the event,” said an official military website.

“The establishment of the National Defence College in Sri Lanka fulfils a long-felt need,” said Rajapaksa in his speech.

“In the past, Sri Lanka had no option but to seek vacancies in foreign educational establishments to obtain strategic education opportunities for senior military officers.

Although a few officers benefitted greatly from course placements offered by friendly nations each year, many more were deprived of this opportunity. The establishment of this College therefore greatly increases the number of senior military officers who can receive such exposure each year.”

“It is also my hope that the National Defence College will attract senior military officers from other countries,” he continued. “They would benefit from the high quality of the education it imparts and add an international perspective and vibrancy to their cohorts.”

The latest announcement comes as the military continued to expand its militarised hold over the Tamil homeland more than 12 years since the end of the armed conflict.

Sri Lanka’s budget is to be announced today with the Ministry of Finance having presented its Appropriation Bill for 2022 with the largest allocation, 12.3%, being allocated to the Ministry of Defence.

Sri Lanka’s increase in militarisation comes despite increasing scrutiny from the international community and the public over its increasing militarisation. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, slammed the "corrosive impact of militarisation" earlier this year, whilst Sri Lanka’s economy also continues to falter with a food crisis and the prices of basic commodities increasing by as much as 37% across the board.