Military law programme fosters exchange between American and Sri
Lankan military justice experts
COLOMBO: Military law professionals from the US Pacific
Command, in partnership with the American Embassy in Colombo, hosted a
Military Law Exchange Programme with the Defence Ministry to exchange
ideas on ways to improve transparency, accountability and human rights
in military justice.
A five-member American team met with 35 Sri Lankan Army, Navy and Air
Force personnel last week at the Galadari Hotel to foster the mutual
exchange of ideas and discussion of law affecting military commanders.
The three-day programme led by Colonel Anne E. Ehrsam-Holland,
Director of the US Defence Institute of International Legal Studies and
Captain Pete A. Pedrozo, Staff Advocate Judge with the US Navy, provided
an important opportunity for military lawyers and staff from the United
States and Sri Lanka to exchange information on improving military
justice systems.
“Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and I agreed that it would be
very useful to bring together military justice experts from Sri Lanka
and the United States to exchange information, perspectives and best
practices,” Ambassador Robert O. Blake said at the programme opening on
August 15.
“It is valuable to discuss the challenges both our countries face in
pursuing effective counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism practices,
while ensuring respect for human rights and international law in such
operations.”
The Military Law Exchange Programme was established by the US Pacific
Command, a department of the US Navy, in 1995 as a means by which to
exchange views on legal issues at the military-to-military level. |
