In the aftermath of the successful conduct of the Army-organized ‘Defence Seminar - 2012’ at Colombo Galadari Hotel on Friday (10), several foreign delegates, including Maldives’ Chief of Defence Force, called on the Commander of the Army to extend their best wishes and greetings to the Army on the eve of their departure.

Sir Bill Jeffrey, one of the key contributors to the Day - 2 sessions of the ‘Defence Seminar’ on ‘Counter Insurgency and Post Conflict Settlement’, prior to his arrival in Sri Lanka requested for a separate appointment with the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya.

Mr Jeffery, a veteran scholar in the counter insurgency studies during the meeting expressed his satisfaction on the conduct of the seminar which was timely and well organized, following directions given by the Commander of the Army. He also exchanged views on follow-up roles and tasks of the Army if Sri Lanka were to march forward as a prosperous nation.

Sir Bill Jeffery was accompanied by Sri Lanka-based Deputy High Commissioner of UK to the Commander’s Secretariat. The Army Chief paid his gratitude for Sir Jeffery’s thought-provoking contribution to the sessions which shed light on many aspects of the 5R programmes.

Minutes after his visit, Major General Cai Ping of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of People’s Republic of China (PRC), together with two more officers met the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and shared a few thoughts with him.

All those three senior officers, who participated in the just concluded ‘Defence Seminar’ took the opportunity to convey their best regards of their superiors in the PLA to the Sri Lanka Army. Major General Ping also expressed his personal appreciation on the most effective conduct of the Defence Seminar with a such huge participating members.

Meanwhile, Maldives’ Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam followed suit and paid a courtesy call on the Commander of the Army, just a couple of hours before his departure on Friday (10).

Major General Shiyam, who was one of the firsts to arrive in Sri Lanka to attend the Defence Seminar at the invitation of the Army, shared views on bilateral matters of interest and congratulated the Army for its well-planned seminar which was attended by more than 270 participants.

Before these delegates bade farewell to the Commander, they symbolized their goodwill and cooperation by presenting mementos. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya reciprocated the gestures.