Kotelawala Defence University holds annual symposium
Saturday, 24 August 2013 00:00
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Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa attended the inaugural session of the annual seminar of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) in Ratmalana on 22 August.
The two-day seminar of the prestigious defence university began yesterday at its auditorium under the theme “Sri Lanka as a Hub in Asia: The Way Forward”. President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga was the Chief Guest at the event. The Vice Chancellor of the KDU, Maj. General Milinda Peiris delivered the welcome address.
Delivering the keynote address Weerethunga said: “Peace as you know has opened many windows of opportunities to Sri Lanka.”
He further explained that, “the vision of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa is to propel Sri Lanka into a force, to reckon within the region through the creation of five hub strategy which is to be achieved in such a peaceful atmosphere”.
Further speaking the Secretary to the President explained the Five Hub Strategy of the Government in order to harmonise with the ideal way forward that has the fullest potential to become a hub in Asia. The five hub strategy encompasses a naval hub, aviation hub, energy hub, commercial hub and knowledge hub which will link the country between the east and the west.
Summing up his address, Weerethunga reiterated that the necessity of students involvement in the felid of research to usher the prosperity in Sri Lanka.
Weerethunga also played a key role in being the moderator of the first day of the symposium. The seminar will see prominent local and foreign scholars, experts; think tanks and other professionals make presentations and exchange views in parallel sessions on thematic issues on defence, medicine, engineering, law, management, social sciences, humanities and education that come within the purview of KDU academia.
Pakistan High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Major General (Rtd) Qasim Qureshi, Deputy Principal, College of Defence of People’s Liberation Army’s National Defence University, China, Senior Colonel Guo Xinning and Indian Security Representative Major General S.K. Jha are also expected to contribute to the sessions.
A large number of distinguished guests including MP Wasantha Senanayaka, Chief of Defence Staff, tri-force commanders, the Chairperson of the University Grant Commission, foreign diplomats, senior foreign military officials, renowned professors, scholars and intellectuals from foreign universities, police officers, Government officials and university academics were present at the occasion.
