Third Defence Seminar in Sept:
Over 62 countries to participate
Chaminda Perera
Representatives of over 62 countries will participate in the third
Defence Seminar organised by the Sri Lanka Army from September 3 – 5 at
Galadari Hotel in Colombo on the theme ‘Post Conflict Sri Lanka –
Challenges.’
The first day of the seminar will focus on post conflict
reconstruction, social integration and reconciliation while discussions
on the second day will hinge on regional stability.
Sessions on the third day will lay emphasis on further strengthening
regional stability at a global perspective with analytical approach to
the Sri Lankan case study.
The key note address of the seminar will be delivered by Defence and
Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. According to
Army Commander Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya, the Sri Lanka Army has taken
steps to extend invitation for the resources personnel from SAARC
countries and other parts of the world.
The Army chief was speaking at the launch of the re-designed website
on the seminar www.defseminar.lk at the Army headquarters recently. This
website gives details of the Defence Seminar which is to be held in
September.
Lt. Gen Jayasuriya added foreign delegates can access the full
details of the seminar through this website. The Commander said the Sri
Lanka Army organized two Defence Seminars in 2011 and 2012 on the themes
of Defeating Terrorism – The Sri Lankan Experience (2011) and Lasting
peace Towards Stability through 5Rs (2012) with the participation of
many foreign delegates and defence officials.
Representatives of 44 countries participated in the defence seminar
that was held last year and the exact number of delegates who will
participate in the 2013 defence seminar would be notified closer to the
date of the seminar. He said some of the resource personnel who
participated in the 2012 defence seminar will also provide their input
and feedback to the seminar.
Lt. Gen Jayasuriya added that the leader of Janatha Party of India
Subamaniam Swamy will also participate as a resource person of the
seminar.
The Commander added that the Army has taken steps to invite members
of independent think tanks in the world with a view of sharing their
experiences and views among the participants.
“We are in the process of negotiating with the think tanks of the
world to ensure their participation as resource personnel for the
seminar”, he added.
The Commander added that military officers and other ranks of many
countries have started following courses offered by the Sri Lanka Army.
“Many foreign students told me that our method of teaching is based
on experience and they want to learn them too,” he said. |