All is set to kick off the Army-initiated international ‘Defence Seminar - 2012’, titled ‘Towards Lasting Peace and Stability’ on Wednesday (8) at Colombo Galadari Hotel. The three-day seminar covers thematic Reconstruction, Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Reintegration, Reconciliation (5Rs) spheres in post-conflict Sri Lanka with the participation of about 250 foreign and local delegates. It will continue till Friday (10) at Colombo Galadari Hotel.
‘Defence Seminar - 2012 on 5Rs’, slated to open, share and discuss a wide range of strategic and conceptual innovations and infrastructure issues, directly related to Sri Lanka’s post-conflict achievements and development, in the context of both regional and global scenario, is to be addressed by erudite scholars, administrators, military leaders and renowned experts of national and international fame.
Three-day deliberations are designed to dwell exclusively on Reconstruction and Resettlement (Day 1), Rehabilitation and Reintegration (Day 2) and Reconciliation (Day 3) spheres, highlighting the Army’s evolution to be effective peace builders from that of the role of most effective warriors in the past 3 years.
Over 22 speakers, including intellectuals, bureaucrats and military officers are scheduled to share their views, learn and adapt experiences, explore ways and means for applicability of new technologies for development, promote economic revival and reconciliatory moves for long-lasting peace and stability in Sri Lanka, etc during these sessions.
Guest speakers from the UK, US, India, Pakistan as well as Mr Lalith Weeratunge, Secretary to President, Prof. G.L Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, Mr Basil Rajapaksa, Hon Minister of Economic Development, Mr Mahinda Samarasinghe, Hon Minister of Plantations, Dr Rajeev Wijesinghe (MP), Dr Ajith Nivard Cabral, Governor for Central Bank, Mr S.B Divaratne, Secretary, Presidential Task Force for Resettlement, Development and Security in the Northern Province, Mrs Imelda Sukumar, Additional Secretary, Presidential Secretariat and former District Secretary for Jaffna, Dr Malkanthi Hettiarachchi, Dr M. Safras, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, Major General M. Hathurusinghe, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters-Jaffna, Major General G.D.H.K Gunaratne, Adjutant General, Major General S. Ranasinghe, Major General A.W.J.C De Silva, Colonel Commandant, Sri Lanka Engineers and Brigadier D.D.U.K Hettiarachchi, Commissioner General Rehabilitation, are among the invitees, scheduled to contribute to the seminar sessions.
Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development is to deliver the keynote address during the inaugural sessions. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army will welcome the delegates to the symposium.
Dr. Russel Howard and Prof. Arie Kruglanski from the USA, Dr Subramanian Swami from India and a few more foreign delegates are expected to make contributions to the sessions on Reconstruction / Resettlement (Day 1) and Reconciliation (Day 3) respectively.
