Countdown to Flagship Project, 'Colombo Defence Seminar - 2016' Begins

The countdown to the inauguration of the 6th ‘Colombo Defence Seminar - 2016’ has begun as all final arrangements are now taking place at the BMICH to welcome a colossal gathering of about 800 participants, including 125 foreigners from 71 countries for the two-day sessions (Sept 1-2).

Themed on ‘Soft Power and its Influence on Global Issues’ in the context of fast waning ‘hard power’ at global level, this year’s sessions are aimed at providing a platform to global experts to identify and discuss means of achieving foreign policy frameworks and perspectives of nation states through which horizons of professional knowledge of Army personnel could be expanded to suit fast changing global trends.

This year’s sessions, themed on ‘Soft Power and Its Influence on Global Issues’ are segmented into nine sessions under sub themes such as ‘Concept of Power’, ‘Soft Power and Varied Impacts’, ‘Soft Power Peace Building and Armed Forces’ and ‘Influence of Soft Power on Global Issues’.

In addition, a separate expert panel, including professors, security and military experts and administrative officers at foreign and national level would contribute to the Day 2 session. A preparatory session for the participants has also been included in the agenda. 

Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Secretary Defence and Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army are scheduled to deliver the keynote address and introductory remarks respectively during the inaugural sessions on the first day (Sept 1).

Mr. H. M. G. S Palihakkara, Former Foreign Secretary and Governor of the Northern Province, Prof. Adrian Kendry (UK), Former NATO Senior Defence Economist and Adviser to the 12th NATO Secretary General, Prof.  Rasheed Uz Zaman (Bangladesh), Associate Professor - Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, Dr. Sarala Fernando, Former Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva, Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Civil Representative of Constitutional Council (Sri Lanka) and Former Special Representative of the UN Secretary- General on Children and Armed Conflict, Dr. Christopher Ankersen (Italy), Chief Security and Safety Section Bangkok / Security Advisor, Thailand, United Nations Department of Safety and Security, Lady Olga Maitland, Former President of  the Defence and Security Forum (UK), Lt Gen (Retd) Nasser Khan Janjua, NSA Government of Pakistan, Dr. Chuck Cushman (USA), Dean of Academics College of International Security Affairs, National Defence University, Dr. Philip Cunliffe (UK), Senior Lecturer in International Relations/ Rutherford College, University of Kent, Major General Greg Bilton, Deputy Commanding General (Australian Army) - US Army Pacific, Prof. Ram Malikkalingham, Board Member of the President’s Office of National Unity and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka, Dr. Derek Yuen (HKG), Professor Chinese University of Hong Kong, H.E. Mr. Yi Xianliang, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Rear Admiral D C Gunawardena, Air Commodore H M S K Kotakadeniya, Prof. Shyam Tekwani (Hawai) Associate Professor at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, Honolulu, Major General A P de Z Wickramaratne, Dr. Harinda Vidanage: Director, Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS), Mr. Esala Weerakoon, Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs are among contributors to the sessions.

Live webcast of the seminar proceedings can be seen in www.defseminar.lk