The inaugural sessions of the Defence Seminar - 2014, themed on ‘Sri Lanka: Challenges to a Rising Nation’ got to a start Monday (18) morning at Colombo Galadari Hotel amidst a packed audience of scholars, intellectuals, policy makers and military leaders, drawn from more than 50 countries, including diplomats based here.
The arrival of the day’s Chief Guest Prof G.L Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, Mr Neomal Perera, Deputy Minister of External Affairs, flanked by Mr Lalith Weerathunga, Secretary to the President, Dr P.B Jayasundera, Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary to Ministry of Finance and Planning and Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, heralded the ceremonial inauguration of the three-day sessions.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, the host of the annual event welcomed all of them before they were ushered to light the traditional oil lamp, symbolizing the auspicious commencement of the proceedings.
The moderator for the proceedings, Brigadier Ralf Nugera, Director Training at Army Headquarters summarized how the series of Defence Seminars took shape after its first one in the year 2011 as a brainchild of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.
In his welcome address, the Commander of the Army told the gathering that the three-decade violent conflict with the most ruthless terrorist organization of the world, has taught us (Sri Lankans) many valuable lessons, amongst them, the value of national security and the will to pursue it at any cost.
“It is my contention that this incentive of peace experienced after the conflict and prosperity within reach, has strengthened our security. This should not be interpreted in any way as letting down our guard. Our national security is stronger than ever. Today we are much smarter, more vigilant and possess greater responsive capability to deal with threats to national security,” the Commander assured.
“We strongly believe in a balance between national security which focuses on the State and human security on the individual. Through this seminar, we seek to propose our Nation's experience as a model for intellectual discourse with development as a dividend of peace and security. It focuses on the interaction between security, development and prosperity and their inseparable partnerships.”
He quipped; “Moreover, many a Nation may be struggling for solutions to similar problems, many more like us, may be recovering and moving towards prosperity and many others may have passed us and reached goals of a secure, safe and better life.”
Commenting on the importance of this discourse, the Commander extended a warm welcome and told the gathering that reconciliation process which has added to national cohesion has invariably strengthened our security and this should not be interpreted in any way as letting down our guard.
Here is the full text of the Commander’s speech at the inaugural ceremony;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
AYUBOWAN and a very good morning to all of you!
As the Commander of the Army and the host of the ‘Defence Seminar 2014’, I am honoured by your presence and warmly welcome you all, to this wonderful learning experience.
Your presence at this forum is both overwhelming and inspiring, and speaks volumes of the distance Sri Lanka’s Defence Seminar, has travelled as an international forum for matters of national security and development.
The presence of such a large gathering of friends from across oceans, signifies the value, nations, have placed on our relationships.
For this, we are grateful to you all, dear friends.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our island's experience as a nation that has passed through the complete cycle of violence, recovery, and now development, is unique and provides an opportunity for learning, like no other.
I assure you, that Sri Lanka is a present day model of how nations could blend security and development together to fetch a better life for its people.
The employment of the defence sector to add additional capacity to national institutions, leading national development, is one of the many areas that could be beneficial to other countries, too.
We are fortunate to have in this forum, the pioneering architect of this concept, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The effectiveness of this concept in the urban regeneration program, led by the Secretary Defence will be visible to you in the next few days when you experience the city of Colombo.
The stability, achieved through a hard-fought and won peace, has established the conditions for a development drive that has seen the nation rise from the ashes of war to contentment, geared by prosperity.
We do not seek much, but the rightful place we enjoyed in history, which has been the hub for all activity, running through, over and around our island.
The vision encapsulated in the 'Mahinda Chinthana', a vision guiding the development of the Nation, calls for the island to be transformed into a Naval, Aviation, Commercial, Energy and Knowledge Hub.
This takes us back to the strategy for prosperity, adopted by our forefathers who rightly exploited our geopolitical positioning for national wellbeing.
The employment of the defence sector to secure, and further these aspirations, remains our principal security effort.
But the role of the military does not end here; we have extended our capabilities to reinforce development efforts in these hubs, too.
With the permission of the Keynote Speaker, the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, I wish to borrow some of his recent economic predictions, which I assure you, are very encouraging to Sri Lankans.
Sri Lanka is expected to experience a per capita income of US$7000 by the year 2020 from a per capita income of US$ 4000 in 2015.
This would certainly signal the nation's transit into an upper -middle income country, a dream we have pursued with vigour.
There is no doubt that this would make the defence sector's job easier as the increase in incomes, would improve life and reduce discontent which on the long run, would strengthen security.
Adapting the capabilities of the Army, to meet the missions demanded in support of development and nation-building whilst sustaining war fighting abilities, are among some of the unique challenges we face.
Through organizational and structural reshaping, along with a balanced rotation of our nation-building skills, and security capabilities we have been able to successfully, meet these national commitments.
Another key contributor to our rise is the success of our reconciliation process, which not only bridges the ethnic divide, and adds to national cohesion, but also matches economic separations with dividends to the nation's economy.
This has also added to social unity, based on an inspired vision of a common and prosperous future. Further, as understanding influenced by collaboration gradually, takes root, separatist ideologies would fade away.
It is my contention that this incentive of peace experienced after the conflict and prosperity within reach, has strengthened our security.
This should not be interpreted in any way as letting down our guard.
Our national security is stronger than ever.
Today we are much smarter, more vigilant and possess greater responsive capability to deal with threats to national security.
We strongly believe in a balance between national security which focuses on the State and human security on the individual.
The Army has begun training and acquiring a set of skills and capabilities to meet the requirements, emanating from non-traditional threats.
A glance at our human development index which is considered the highest in South Asia, clearly defines our investment in the individual whose satisfaction, adds to security.
A three-decade violent conflict with the most ruthless terrorist organization of the world, has taught us many valuable lessons, amongst them, the value of national security and the will to pursue it at any cost.
Defence Seminar 2014, is guided by the theme 'Sri Lanka: Challenges to a Rising Nation' which I consider, appropriate not just to Sri Lanka, but to all Nations, big or small.
Through this seminar, we seek to propose our Nation's experience as a model for intellectual discourse with development as a dividend of peace and security.
It focuses on the interaction between security, development and prosperity and their inseparable partnerships.
Moreover, many a Nation may be struggling for solutions to similar problems, many more like us, may be recovering and moving towards prosperity and many others may have passed us and reached goals of a secure, safe and better life.
This forum is inclusive of their diverse experiences and knowledge.
Ladies/Gentlemen,
We are privileged by the presence of some of the finest and eminent local and foreign personalities on contemporary subjects to be discussed in the next few days.
I warmly welcome our Chief Guest, Honourable Minister of External Affairs, Prof G L Peiris.
We extend our sincere appreciation to you, Sir for your presence here today despite your busy schedule.
I am certain that this forum looks forward to learning from your vast knowledge and experience on contemporary international issues.
It is with immense pleasure that we welcome our Special Guest and dear friend from India, Member of Parliament and Secretary of the Janatha Party of India, Dr Subramaniam Swamy.
I take pride in welcoming a prominent figure who has played and continues to play a central role in the development and rise of the Nation, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Dr P B Jayasundera who has been invited to deliver the keynote address.
His hand is visible in many of our economic milestones, achieved during the last few years and Sir, we humbly thank you for accepting our invitation.
We are equally honoured by the presence of two eminent government servants, who lead policy-making and play critical roles in shaping the future of this Nation.
I welcome Mr Lalith Weeratunge, Secretary to HE the President, a central figure in designing and overseeing the implementation of the Nation’s quest to be the 'Wonder of Asia', and Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban development, the tower of strength behind the defeat of terrorism in the country, and now, the driving force in the regeneration of urban centers in the country.
The beauty of our cities, including Colombo, testifies to the magnitude of work so far done by him.
I also welcome Mrs Kshenuka Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs who plays an important role in the development of our foreign policy.
I am proud to welcome Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order, Major General (Retd) N Mallawaarachchi who shoulders much responsibility in maintaining peace and unity in this country.
I am happy to welcome the Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr Sunil Jayantha Nawarathna whose presence brings, added value to this forum.
I am also pleased to welcome the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, Mr Charitha Herath who bears responsibility for Media Policy and the role of Media in good governance.
We are fortunate to have with us three Ambassadors who are located at the centre of our foreign policy efforts overseas, His Excellency Prasad Kariyawasam, Ambassador for Sri Lanka to the United States of America, His Excellency Dr. Chris Nonis, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom and His Excellency Ravinath Aryasinha, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Consul General of Sri Lanka to Switzerland, Ambassador for Sri Lanka to the Holy See.
At the same time, let me also extend a very warm welcome to His Excellencies, Ambassadors and Diplomats who at our invitation, are present here to listen to the contributions of our speakers.
I am pleased to welcome Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera , Commander of the Navy, Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke, Commander of the Air Force, Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris, Director General Civil Defence Force and Past Service Commanders, whose presence at this forum, assures us of your continuing concern and commitment to the stride of the Defence Seminar.
I am particularly pleased to have been able to bring together a host of prominent foreign speakers from the region and outside, whose presence with us here today, will bring diverse and interesting perspectives to this thought-provoking theme.
Let me welcome Dr Subramanian Swami and Mr Suba Chandran from India, Ms Mariam Safi from Afganistan, Ambassador (Retd) Arif Ayub from Pakistan, Prof Bantarto Bandoro from Malaysia, Mr Patryk Kugiel from Poland, Prof Florens DAM Luoga from Tanzania, Dr Tang Siew Mun from Malaysia, Dr Wang Weihua from China and Dr Yeo Lay Hwee from Singapore.
I will be failing in my duty if I do not warmly welcome all delegates and participants, both foreign and local. Your presence here is really a strength to our efforts.
Your partnership in this forum sessions, bears testimony to the ever-growing relationships that exist between our Nations and the common interests we pursue.
Ladies/Gentlemen,
Traditionally, the host of the seminar who delivers the welcome address to the forum, is also bestowed with the right of introducing the keynote speaker.
In this endeavour stands tall, a gentleman who is known and well-recognized for his positive and motivational attitude towards economic issues of multifarious nature in our country.
Ladies & Gentlemen,
He is none other than the Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary, Ministry of Finance & Planning Dr P. B Jayasundera whose exemplary and eventful public service career, spans well over 40 years, and has earned a name for himself as a colossal economic guru.
In addition to being the incumbent Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Dr Jayasundera served as the Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Development from the year 2010 to 2014.
Dr Jayasundera has also been serving as ex-officio member of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Finance Commission of Sri Lanka.
Soon after his graduation, he first joined the Industrial Development Board as a Development Officer in 1974, thus laying the stepping-stone for a career of excellence. He afterwards joined the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in 1976, and served in the Department of Statistics, and later in the Economic Research Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Marking a turning point, he was seconded to the Ministry of Finance and Planning to serve as Economic Advisor in 1990, and later on appointed as Director General of the Department of Fiscal Policy and Economic Affairs in 1995. His expertise in the field of economy, received a further fillip in 1997 when he was appointed as Deputy Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning, later in 1999.
To his credit, Dr Jayasundera also served as the Chairman of Public Enterprises Reform Commission of Sri Lanka from 1997 till the year 2002, and in several state enterprises, as a Member of the Board.
He has engaged as Policy Advisor to the Ernest and Young in 2003 and 2004, and served as short time consultant to the IMF and the World Bank.
Dr Jayasundera holds a Masters Degree and a PhD in Economics from the Boston University, USA, a Masters Degree in Development Economics from Williams College, USA and B.A.(Hons) - Economics (1973) & B. Phil-Economics (1974) from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Dr Jayasundera in short has been the tower of strength in the economic revival of our post-conflict Nation, and her forward march, throwing his full weight behind the government's post recovery projects, even to-date.
Without further ado, let me invite this strong proponent to the advancement of our economy on stage, who would discuss what else, needs to be done to improve our economy.
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Please join me in welcoming today's keynote speaker, Dr P. B Jayasundera.”
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