Sri Lanka Army’s fourth annual defense seminar begins today
Monday, 18 August 2014 12:21
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Over 200 delegates from 66 countries in attendance
Sri Lanka Army’s fourth annual Defence Seminar will begin today (August 18) at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo.
The three-day seminar themed ‘Sri Lanka: Challenges to a Rising Nation’ this year will focus on the post-war challenges of the country and the country’s onward march to be the Wonder of Asia.
The conference is expected to provide the opportunity to share and discuss a wide range of issues related to the country’s post conflict recovery and challenges faced by the country. The seminar will also discuss other major topics like national security, Sri Lanka economy, regional and global challenges.
A total of 20 guest speakers, including 10 foreign scholars are scheduled to share their views related to the topic.
Increasing number of participants to the annual seminar has been observed every year since its inception in 2011 and this year 197 foreign participants, 35 Defence Attach’s and more than 40 diplomats representing 66 countries are expected to attend the sessions.
Secretary to Treasury and Ministry of Finance Dr. P.B. Jayasundara will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session. Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L Peiris will be the Chief Guest.
The sessions will be chaired by Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States Prasad Kariyawasam, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha and Major General M.P Peiris. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Sarath Amunugama and several other state officials will address the seminar.
Lieutenant General Ratnayake said the seminar would utilise Sri Lanka’s rise after the conflict as the focal point to generate discussions, fuse learning, exchange of ideas, share knowledge and experiences and interact on matters commensurate to the theme. He said that Sri Lanka would be able to showcase its progress in development and opportunities available for regional and international cooperation.A mini exhibition of military hardware and accessories will also be on display on the sidelines of the main sessions.
