The document outlines the principles of war as understood by the Sri Lankan military. It explains that the principles of war are fundamental ideas that underlie the conduct of war and influence military strategy and tactics, even as weapons and tactics change. The ten principles of war recognized by the Sri Lankan military are: selection and maintenance of the aim, maintenance of morale, offensive action, security, surprise, concentration of force, economy of effort, flexibility, cooperation, and sustainability. These principles provide guidance for planning and conducting operations at all levels of command.

1. PRINCIPLES OF WAR
Lt Col PR Pathiravithana psc SLAC
Commandant -ACTC

2. What are the Principles of War?
 Fundamental ideas underlying the conduct of war
 Weapons, organization, transportation and tactics change
 Fundamental principles never change.

3. Why Principles of War?
The principles influence the conduct of war in its widest sense.
They are especially relevant at the strategic level where a number of
criteria against which courses of action affecting he crest or the
planning of a campaign may be tested. Most of them have a direct
application at lower levels where they provide a guide for the planning
and conduct of operations on the batt1efield However, they are not
like the laws of natural science, where the observance of specific
conditions produces a predictable result, nor, are they like the rules of
a game, a breach of which entails a prescribed

4. Principles of War
 Sri Lankan military generally recognizes ten key principles of war
(Basically British)
 Essential for effective command
 Successful conduct of military operations
 Apply to decisions on all levels of command from squad leader to
Commander in Chief

5. Principles of War
 Don’t all apply with equal force
 Factors will shape significance
 Nature of terrain
 Strength of opposing forces
 Weather
 Mission of the Command

6. Key Terms
 Strategy-- Application of Principles of War to a
lengthy campaign
 Tactics—Application of Principles of War to a
single battle.

7. The 10 Principles of War
 Selection And Maintenance Of The Aim.
 Maintenance Of Morale.
 Offensive Action.
 Surprise.
 Concentration Of Force.
 Economy Of Effort.
 Security.
 Flexibility.
 Co-Operation.
 Administration.

8.  Selection and Maintenance of the Aim A single, unambiguous aim is the
keystone of successful military operations. Selection and maintenance of the aim is
regarded as the master principle of war.
 Maintenance of Morale Morale is a positive state of mind derived from
inspired political and military leadership, a shared sense of purpose and values,
well-being, perceptions of worth and group cohesion.
 Offensive Action Offensive action is the practical way in which a commander
seeks to gain advantage,sustain momentum and seize the initiative.

9.  Security is the provision and maintenance of an operating environment that
affords the necessary freedom of action, when and where required, to achieve
objectives.
 Surprise is the consequence of shock and confusion induced by the deliberate
or incidental introduction of the unexpected.
 Concentration of Force Concentration of force involves the decisive,
synchronized application of superior fighting power (conceptual, physical, and
moral) to realize intended effects, when and where required.
 Economy of Effort Economy of effort is the judicious exploitation of
manpower, materiel and time in relation to the achievement of objectives.

10.  Flexibility the ability to change readily to meet new circumstances comprises
agility, responsiveness, resilience, acuity and adaptability.
 Cooperation entails the incorporation of teamwork and a sharing of dangers,
burdens, risks and opportunities in every aspect of warfare.
 Sustainability to sustain a force is to generate the means by which its
fighting power and freedom of action are maintained.
These principles of war are commonly used by the armed forces
of commonwealth countries