INSS Military Research Officers

Lt Col Palitha Herath joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet of the Intake 48 on 04th July 1998 after completion of studies at the A. Rathnayake Central College - Walala, Menikhinna. On completion of the Basic training, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 17th June 2000.

He has obtained a Masters’ Degree in Conflict and Peace Studies and Post graduate Diploma in Conflict and Peace Studies at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has successfully completed the Junior Command Course and Senior Command Course in the Sri Lanka Army. Further, he has successfully completed the Young Officers Course in Deolalai (India), Advance Gunnery Course in Deolalai (India) and Antitank Guided Missile Equipment Support Course in Peoples Republic of China. Furthermore, in December 2011 he has graduated from the Defence Services Command and Staff College at Sapugaskanda, Sri Lanka which earned him with the distinguished title of ‘psc.

During his career, he has held a number of Command and Staff appointments commensurate with his rank and he has held the appointment of Commanding Officer of 8th Medium Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery. Presently he is serving as a Military Research Officer for Institute of National Security Studies which is the think tank of Ministry of Defence.

Commander (H) Bhanu Abeygunawardhana is a distinguished member of the Sri Lanka Navy, having joined on 19th December 2003 into the 40th Intake officer cadet batch of Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) after completing his studies from Dharmashoka College, Ambalangoda. He holds a wealth of qualifications and achievements in local and abroad, including the successful completion of the Sub Lieutenant Technical Course in NMA, he has selected to follow Junior Staff Course at Bangladesh Naval Academy, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Moreover, he has successfully completed Basic Hydrography course in National Institute of Hydrography, Goa, India, obtaining International Hydrography Office recognized Category ‘B’ certificate. Subsequently, he has completed his specialized training in Hydrography at the National Institute of Hydrography, Goa, India, obtaining International Hydrography Office recognized IHO/FIG/ICA/Category ‘A’ certificate. Moreover, he has completed the oceanography course at School of Naval Oceanology and Metrology, Kochi, India. In addition, he has attended Hydrographic support course in Netherlands, conduct by Royal Netherlands Navy and Bay of Bengal expedition conducted by the university of Notre Dame, USA. Further accomplishments include a Passed Staff Course at Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda, Sri Lanka.

Throughout his esteemed naval career, Commander Bhanu has commanded various vital units including the Rapid Action Boat Squadron, Fast Attack Craft, and Fast Patrol Vessel in Sri Lanka Coast Guard. Moreover, Commander Bhanu is a recipient of Ransoora Padakkma in twice due act of bravery and Desha Puthra padakkama due becoming battle casualty during counter-insurgency operation against LTTE. Also, His leadership qualities were recognized with the Commander of the Navy's Letter of Commendation for his outstanding demonstration of leadership during counter-insurgency operations in Sri Lanka. Also, he has appointed for the several unique appointments in the Sri Lanka Navy such as, Instructor in the Officer Training Wing at NMA, Staff Officer (Hydrography), Staff Officer (Foreign Cooperation) at Navy Headquarters and Recruit Training Officer at Advance Training Center of the SLN.

In terms of academic achievements, Commander Bhanu holds a Bachelor of Naval Studies in Maritime Warfare from the University of Kelaniya, a Master of Science in Hydrography from the University of Goa, India, and a Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies from KDU.

Wing Commander Udith Pathirana joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet of the Intake 45 on 08th January 2004 after completion of studies at the DS Senanayake College, Colombo 08. On completion of the Basic and Advanced phases of training, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Administrative Regiment branch on 17th July 2005.

He has obtained a Masters’ Degree in Defence & Strategic Studies at the General Sir John Kothalawala Defence University, Sri Lanka. Further, he is currently following a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management in the same university and has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Management as well. He has successfully completed the Junior Staff Course in the Sri Lanka Army and Junior Command and Staff Course in the Sri Lanka Air Force. Hence, he has successfully completed the Young Officers Course in MHOW, India. Furthermore, in December 2022 he has graduated from the Defence Services Command and Staff College at Sapugaskanda, Sri Lanka which earned him the distinguished title of ‘psc.

During his career, he has held a number of operational and training appointments. Moreover, he has held the appointments of Officer Commanding Operations at Regiment Wings of Sri Lanka Air Force Station Iranamadu and Mullaithivu. Presently he is serving as a Military Research Officer for Institute of National Security Studies which is the think tank of Ministry of Defence.