The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is a youth organisation in Sri Lanka, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, which operates in schools, and normally includes Army, Navy and Air Force sections. The corp is open for secondary school students on voluntary basis and its officers are government teachers and educational administrators, who serve as instructors. The Cadets are given basic military training in small arms and parades, as well as leadership training. Currently administrated under the Mobilization and Supplementary Forces Act, No. 40 of 1985, it was established in 1881 and was formally known as the Ceylon Cadet Corps. The officers and cadets have no liability for active military service. Officers many volunteer for secondment to the Sri Lanka Armed forces during national emergencies or be mobilized under National Service. Traditionally the Cadet Corps has served as a source for officers for the regular forces of the Sri Lankan military. The NCC is headed by a Director of Major General rank. Mission The Mission of the National Cadet Corps is to train and inspire cadets using effective training curriculum, so that each cadet shall develop character, courage, sportsmanship, self-reliance, discipline, and civil mindedness, spirit of adventure, responsibility and comradeship to be a human resource of well-trained youth, capable of providing leadership in all aspects of life. History 1881 – Mr. John B. Cull, the then principal of Royal College, Colombo formed a cadet platoon as a Volunteer Unit under Ceylon Light Infantry for the students of the Royal College. 1902 – Introduction of Cadet Battalion under CLI (Ceylon Light Infantry) and Major S. M. Baros of CLI became the first Commanding Officer of the Cadet Battalion. 1903-Training was conducted by school teachers and Diyatalawa Volunteer Army training camps were conducted with British and Indian troops. 1917 – The First Hermen Loos (All Island) Camp was held in Diyathalawa. The Champions were Kingswood College, Kandy 1918 – With the recommendation of Brigadier General R. B. Fell (Commander, Ceylon Defence Force), formation of Ceylon Cadet Battalion took place on the two divisions on 4 February 1918. 1948 – Colonel R.J.F. Mendis was appointed as the first Sri Lankan commanding officer of the Ceylon Cadet Battalion. 1971 – Eight officers were mobilised for duties with the Regular Force during the period of JVP insurrection in various parts of the island. 1972 – Ceylon Cadet Corps changed its designation as Sri Lanka Cadet Corps