Maritime conference:

Galle Dialogue begins today

The maritime conference 'Galle Dialogue' will be held today and tomorrow in Galle. The Navy is organizing the event on behalf of the Defence Ministry. The theme of the conference is Charting the Course for Sustainable Maritime Security Cooperation. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa will deliver the inaugural address at the inaugural session today at the Light House Hotel, Galle.

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe will deliver the welcome address.

Senior Research Fellow for South Asia, National Defence University, USA and former Deputy Assistance Secretary of Defence for Asia Pacific Security Affairs 2007-2009 Professor James Clad will deliver the Keynote address. Launching of the Galle Dialogue web site www.galledialogue.com. will also take place.

Twenty-two delegates specialized in naval and maritime affairs from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa and USA will attend the conference.