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Foreign Experts to be Invited to Army's 'Defence Seminar-2012' on Post-War 5Rs

Sri Lanka Army, acclaimed now world-wide as one of the best counter terrorist forces in the millennium, is set to place its new diversified 5R ‘peace warrior’ roles visa-a-vis post-war development assignments before the world during the forthcoming 2nd Defence Seminar 2012 on the theme ‘Towards Lasting Peace & Stability’.

The three-day Defence Seminar fixed for Aug 8-10, expected to be addressed by subject experts from foreign countries, is largely centered on post-war spheres of Rehabilitation, Re-integration, Re-construction, Resettlement and Reconciliation (5Rs) and is to be attended by over 100 foreign delegates.

Sri Lanka Army after bitter experiences in the long-dragged war for peace is now fully embarked on the challenging and arduous task of reconstructing the war-torn north-east infrastructure, resettling of displaced civilians, rehabilitating ex-combatants, re-integrating those ex-combatants with society and promotion of reconciliatory moves among the populace with the coordination of state authorities and other non-governmental organizations while supporting the civil administration to gain a firm foothold in areas where the democratic governance, remained totally crippled due to threats of terrorism.                        

Roles of Army troops as effective teams of peace-builders in the north and east of the country while actively maintaining peace and stability in respective areas during this seminar are expected to be taken up for deliberations with the participation of former combatants, war-affected communities, political leadership, state officials, academics and other experts. The Defence Seminar-2012 is to provide a common platform for discussion to the Army, sister services, Police and other participants over their sea of experiences and a multitude of other concerns and issues as the country is on the path to speedy recovery after overcoming all the obstacles and other setbacks.

The first Defence Seminar on the theme ‘Defeating Terrorism-Sri Lankan Experience’ as the brainchild of the Secretary Defence, got underway in May last year and attracted representatives from more than 41 countries. Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya has thrown his full weight behind the success of the forthcoming Defence Seminar-2012 which is now going to be one of the major events in the Army calendar of annual events.