08/27/2015, 00.00
SRI LANKA
Send to a friend

Defence seminar to focus on global threats

by Melani Manel Perera
Titled ‘National Security in the Context of Emerging Global Threats,’ the event will be held in Colombo on 1-2 September. Some 350 delegates are expected from 66 countries. The ambassadors of China and Pakistan will address the seminar. The Army chief claims the military has achieved high levels of professionalism since the end of the civil war.

Colombo (AsiaNews) – Today, Sri Lanka "is one of the most peaceful countries in the world. But the army is still on alert against global threats such as drug or human trafficking, natural disasters and terrorism,” said Lieutenant General Chirshanthe De Silva, Commander of the Sri Lankan Army.

The latter spoke yesterday at a press conference presenting the fifth Defence Seminar, set to take place on 1-2 September at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo. Some 350 delegates from 66 countries are expected to attend. The topic will be ‘National Security in the Context of Emerging Global Threats’.

"National security is the priority of any army, anywhere in the world. And soldiers are committed to preserve it,” Commander De Silvia said. “At this forum, we shall discuss and exchange ideas on issues related to security in the region and throughout the world, taking current global trends into consideration."

The Sri Lankan army chief added that the seminar will help boost ties of good will with all those who support the country and its armed forces.

"We have extended invitations to the US ambassador and a number of diplomats. The ambassadors of China and Pakistan are among invited speakers,” the commander said.

“In the past six years, following the end of the war,* we reached a high degree of professionalism,” he explained. “This has brought commendation to the organisation”.

The seminar will include nine separate sessions, each addressing key issues, like the 'Nature of threats affecting the national security of a nation,' the 'Emerging World Order,', 'Terrorism and challenges to national security,' and 'Non-military threats to national security'.

De Silvia noted that soldiers employed in northern Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the war were never charged, despite calls to this effect.

* The Sri Lankan Civil War was fought by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, also known as the Tamil Tigers) and the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka. It ended with the Tamil Tigers' defeat in 2009.

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Growing unemployment in the Philippines, also due to corruption and waste
04/01/2010
Peace and stability, main topics at international defence seminar
09/08/2012
Faisalabad: If we want peace, let us follow the teachings of Christ, says Muslim leader
23/09/2014
Gag order on Sri Lankan activists and NGOs represents a serious limit on freedom of the press and expression
11/07/2014
An “alternative” report on health care in a globalised world
21/11/2008


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”