NCC to conduct series of competitions and camps
View(s):The National Cadet Corps (NCC) has planned several competitions and training camps under the motto “Never Be Unprepared”.
The NCC comprises students from schools across Sri Lanka and operates under the National Human Resource Mobilisation and Supplementary Force Act No. 40 of 1985.
Director of the NCC Major General A P Rajitha Premathilaka RSP, USP, ndc, describing the objectives of the NCC and the procedure for selecting the cadet battalion, told the Sunday Times that the National Cadet Corps has a distinct culture, and its training emphasizes the cultivation of self-discipline, self-confidence, civic sense, and responsibility.
He added that all of these individuals have become better able to lead their own lives thanks to the skills they acquired through activities during their school years.
According to Major General Premathilaka, five specific competition finals are scheduled for 2025; three competitions have already taken place, and two are yet to be held. These competitions determine the recipients of various NCC trophies and awards.
In recognition of excellence across various cadet disciplines, the final competition for the Hermann Loos Trophy, awarded to the best-performing boys’ cadet platoon, is scheduled to be held on October 21, with the deputy defence minister as chief guest. The final competition for the John B Cull Trophy, which represents the annual national challenge trophy awarded to the best junior cadet platoon in Sri Lanka, will take place on October 31, with the NCC Director as chief guest. Both events will be held at the Military Training Centre in Rantembe.
The All-Island Eastern Band Challenge Trophy Camp took place from September 19 to 26 at the Rantembe Training Centre, with the Passing Out Parade held on September 25 attended by the Commander of the Army as chief guest. The All-Island Western Band Cadet Trophy Camp was conducted on October 4 at Rantembe, with Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa as chief guest. The IGP Cadet Trophy Camp Final took place on October 10 at the Police College, Kalutara, with the participation of the minister of public security and parliamentary affairs.
The NCC, which operates under the Ministry of Defence, is currently composed of approximately 4,599 cadets; 3,091 boys and 1,508 girls. These cadets are organised across 30 Battalions nationwide. The organisation is tasked with providing pre-military training and civil training to school students.
This year, a total of 63 schools from across Sri Lanka have been selected to participate in the final competitions and training camps organised by the NCC.
Major General Premathilaka explained the national importance of conducting cadet corps training for students across the country, saying, “This is not merely typical military training for students; it also consists of a comprehensive syllabus that blends physical fitness, drill, weapon training, leadership exercises, and academic study of the tri-forces and police, covering all subjects necessary for the platoon.”
He urged parents to encourage their sons and daughters to participate in the activities of the National Cadet Corps.
“Recently, we adopted the ‘nearest camp to nearest school’ concept for training student cadets, utilising the facilities of the camp closest to each school. Most schools in the North Eastern Province are now implementing this practice. Our main aim is to bring student cadets together, allowing them to interact with schools from other provinces, gain more experience, and reduce the knowledge and experience gap among them.”
He added that he reserved four quotas for North Eastern Province cadet students to enhance their enthusiasm, noting the progress they have made, even though they began training only after the end of the war in 2009.
The NCC has received a substantial government allocation totaling 955 million rupees for its recurrent and capital expenditure, confirming robust state support as the organisation prepares for a series of high-stakes national competitions scheduled for late 2025.
“The total government funding granted to the National Student Cadet Corps includes Rs 905 million dedicated to recurrent expenditures and Rs 50 million allocated for capital investments. I would like to emphasise that these are not merely expenses for the government but investments, as they help shape the future of the child, and this mission contributes to developing responsible young citizens,” Major General Premathilaka said.
- Ishu Bandara
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