Pakistan-Sri Lanka Joint Seminar on ‘Political and Diplomatic Challenges Faced by Nations During and

The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies, will be organising a joint seminar on ‘Political and Diplomatic Challenges Faced by Nations During and After Conflicts Confined to Borders’ on 11 February 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Kadirgamar Institute.

The seminar will bring together eminent personalities from both the countries to deliberate on the ramifications of conflicts on nations.

The thematic relevance of seminar to current national narratives of Sri Lanka and Pakistan will provide an introspective opportunity to develop frameworks for mitigation, averting and management of internal conflicts. Sharing experiences, the panel of experts, will provide policy inputs and frameworks for creating holistic paradigms to resolve political, economic and defence issues at home and diplomatic challenges faced in the international arena.

Universally, building an effective government within a constitutional framework that has the trust of the people is a political challenge that governments face during and after the conflicts. The need to address humanitarian crisis after a conflict, establishing the rule of law, maintaining macro-economic stability and development of social services and infrastructure are some of the post-conflict political challenges that will be discussed at the seminar.

The externalisation of internal conflicts and the misrepresentation of facts during conflicts lead to diplomatic challenges. Diplomacy, in times of internal conflicts, is instrumental in managing relations and mustering international support for national cause. Furthermore, challenges in countering extremism and terrorism, and promoting pluralism will receive focus at the seminar. The seminar also aims at identifying economic opportunities and challenges in South Asia as a region.

The keynote address will be delivered by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to the Ministry of Defense and Urban Development in Sri Lanka.

The Speakers of the Seminar are:

n Prof. G. L. Peiris, M.P., Minister of External Affairs, Sri Lanka

n Amna Baloch, Acting High Commissioner for Pakistan in Sri Lanka

n Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Sri Lanka – Keynote Address

n Riaz Khokhar, Former Foreign Secretary, Pakistan

n Lt. Gen. (Retired) Hamid Khan, Defence Analyst, Pakistan

n Nihal Rodrigo, Former Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary SG/SAARC, Ambassador to China

n Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema, Senior Analyst, Pakistan

n Prof. H.D.. Karunaratne, Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo

n Prof. Rohan Gunaratna, Head, Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, Singapore

n Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa, Attorney at Law, Dean, Faculty of Law, KDU, SL Human Rights Commission, Senior Lecturer, Colombo University

n Prof. D.S. Withane, Professor of Strategic Studies, Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies, Sir John Kotalawa Defence University

The two sessions will be moderated by V. Krishnamoorthy, Director General, South Asia and SAARC Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Sri Lanka and Dr. Mariam Saeed, Second Secretary (Political Affairs), High Commission for Pakistan in Sri Lanka.

Working in partnership with the Government, private-sector and community organisations, the Kadirgamar Institute is the host of a series of national conferences on reconciliation. The institute also conducts seminars and lectures by eminent scholars.

The High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka and the Kadirgamar Institute invites all those interested, to participate in the Seminar. For confirmation please contact the institute.