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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

26th July 2016 03:57:57 Hours

Parley on "Terrorism in Modern Environments" Inaugurated at Buttala OCDC

Significance of promoting professional standards of Army officers in all trades, considering possible would-be future threats in modern security threats, cyber space, biological, nuclear and other multi-dimensional areas of military training was highlighted by Major General Milinda Peiris, Chief of Staff, delivering the keynote address as the Chief Guest at the Seminar on ‘Approaches to Countering Terrorism in Modern Environments’ inaugurated this morning (25) at Buttala Officer Career Development Centre (OCDC) of the Army. 

The Seminar, designed to broaden the horizons of military knowledge in terrorism and its impacts among top level and middle grade officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Police has been themed under the personal and close supervision of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, in close cooperation with the Major General Jagath Alwis, Commander, Army Training Command (ARTRAC) at Diyatalawa and Brigadier Ralph Nugera, Commandant, OCDC who has been the live-wire behind its realization with the participation of more than 150 participants, including several civil experts as contributors.

Major General Milinda Peiris who presented an overall picture of emerging terrorist trends at global level and the need for modernized approaches with novel counter-measures warned that the Army needed to be alert to the sensitivities connected to possible re-assembling or resurgence of terrorist groups and overseas activists who would still be promoting ideological perception while working against Sri Lanka’s economic and development aspirations.

“We need to be knowledgeable to face any future challenges considering transnational effects of terrorism and this type of unique forum would help you to expand your intellectual capacities since all of these themes are thought-provoking. We are living in fast changing environments which are highly complex. We also need to be knowledgeable on the spheres of human rights and fundamental rights in a broader manner,” the Chief Guest added. 

“Modern day threats are also complex. Production of a biological weapon at a small laboratory could be done faster than making a weapon. We got to think big and be prepared for any eventuality through our own tailor-made initiatives. We can have our own preventive and deterrent solutions without going only by theoretical aspects alone. Therefore, education is the most important experience that an officer could get,” he added.
    
Major General Milinda Peiris was received on arrival by Brigadier Ralph Nugera, Commandant, OCDC and conducted to the main conference hall where the formalities, like oil lamp lighting and remembrance of fallen War Heroes took place. Among other participating senior officers were Major General B.A Perera, Director General General Staff (DGGS), Major General Jagath Alwis, Commander, ARTRAC, Major General A.P De Z Wickramarathne, Commander, Security Forces - Central and a host of Majors General, Brigadiers, Colonels, Majors and Captains.              

Mr Sathees Mohandas, Lecturer, Department of Strategic Studies, Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), Ms Bhagya Senaratne, Lecturer, Department of Strategic Studies, Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), Mr Sisira Wijesinghe, Media Advisor to the Army, Major General A.P De Z Wickramarathne, Major General B.A. Perera, Major General Udaya Perera, Major General Aruna Jayasekara, Major General P.W.B Jayasundara, Major General N.A Dharmarathna, Major General R.W.W.A.D.B Rajaguru, Brigadier Ralph Nugera, Brigadier D.T Gamage, Brigadier T.S Sallay, Brigadier W.A Wanniarachchi, Brigadier R.G.U Rajapaksha are among the scholars tipped to contribute to the two-day sessions in the Seminar.