Int’l seminar, ‘Defeating terrorism - Lankan
experience’
Forty-two countries confirm participation
Sandasen Marasinghe
A total of 42 countries have confirmed their participation in the
international seminar, ‘Defeating terrorism - the Sri Lankan experience’
organized to share Sri Lanka’s experiences as the first country in the
21st century to have defeated terrorism, said Army Commander Lieutenant
General Jagath Jayasuriya.
Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya
addressing the press conference. Picture by Nissanka
Wijeratne |
Addressing the media at a press conference held at the Army
Headquarters yesterday, the Army Commander said that the Army also has
sent invitations to the Defence Minister of Senagal and the Army
Commander after they made a request for participation in the three-day
seminar which is to commence on May 31.
Army Commander Jayasuriya further said that preparations for the
seminar under the guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
organized to share Sri Lanka’s experience on the road to military defeat
of the LTTE which was identified as the world’s most ruthless terrorist
organization.
He added that the seminar will pay special focus on global terrorism,
terrorist trends, predominance of both political and military efforts,
reconciliation, threats to national and international security concerns,
nation building, resettlement, effective counter mechanism, prevention
of resurgence of violence, re-evaluation of traditional approaches etc.
Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya also stated that the seminar, the
first of its kind to be held in Sri Lanka will be attended by delegates
including several world renowned experts, professionals, academics and
military officials. Although military participants of few countries such
as Australia, France, Japan, Netherlands etc have regretted their non
participation, delegates such as their ambassadors and researchers have
confirmed their participation.
Sri Lanka Army during these sessions is to elaborate how it conducted
the humanitarian operation, with all minute details, while contributing
to broaden understanding and exchange of knowledge among delegates with
relevance to the Sri Lankan perspective.
The speakers will elaborate on lessons learnt and reasons that led to
the military success. The keynote address will be delivered by Defence
Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
Dr David Killcullen the author of Accidental Guerrilla, Dr Ahamed
Hasheem, Dr Rohan Gunaratne, External Affairs Minister Professor G L
Peiris and many other experts will deliver lectures. |