Office of the Chief of the Defence Staff (Sri Lanka)

The Office of the Chief of the Defence Staff (OCDS) in Sri Lanka is a high-level military headquarters responsible for the coordination of joint military operations and strategy across the tri-services: the Sri Lanka Army, the Sri Lanka Navy, and the Sri Lanka Air Force. The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) is the senior-most officer in the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and serves as the principal military advisor to the President of Sri Lanka, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the Minister of Defence.

The OCDS is tasked with developing and implementing integrated defence strategies, overseeing joint training exercises, and coordinating inter-service cooperation. The CDS and the OCDS also play a crucial role in national security policy development and strategic planning, working closely with other government agencies and ministries. The office facilitates effective communication and collaboration between the individual service commanders and the government, ensuring a unified approach to national defence. The establishment of the OCDS aimed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in addressing contemporary security challenges. The OCDS also contributes to international military cooperation and engagement.