An Army-organized international seminar to share Sri Lankan experience on the road to military defeat of the world’s most ruthless terrorist organization, the LTTE, is to be held on May 31, 1 & 2nd June 2011 at Colombo Galadari Hotel for three consecutive days.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army Wednesday (26) afternoon during the maiden media briefing on the forthcoming arrangement, spelt out how this international event, expected to be attended by more than 100 representatives of some 54 countries has been planned with special focus on the Sri Lankan experience. The seminar that acknowledges achievements and expects to share the ocean of knowledge the Sri Lanka Army has gained in the battlefields by being the first country in the 21st century to defeat terrorism in the world, provides a showcase to the world as the Army is prepared to disclose all details with regard to the conduct of the humanitarian operation, the Commander said.
Three-day long deliberations in the seminar, the first of its kind ever held in Sri Lanka by the Army, are to dwell on counter measures against global terrorism, terrorist trends, predominance of both political and military efforts, rapid resettlement, reconciliatory moves, nation-building and threats to national and international security concerns, the Commander added.
Several world-renowned experts, professionals, academics and military officials have already been invited to present papers and take part in separate working groups during the sessions. In addition to the listed out invitees, a total of 30 Defence Attaches under training in India at that point of time are expected to visit Sri Lanka to coincide with the sessions of this seminar, who will also participate in the event, the Commander pointed out.
Invitation for participation is being carefully done identifying largely the prospective countries that have been plagued with similar menace of terrorism. ‘This seminar will serve as an international exposure that brings credit to the Army since it will remain an open forum for extensive deliberations. Among those slated to address the sessions are Secretary to President, Minister of External Affairs, Secretary Defence, Secretary to Ministry of Finance and a few others, in addition to the resource personnel,’ Lieutenant General Jayasuriya said.
The seminar is to review how the Sri Lankan approach transcended beyond the traditional approach and succeeded in defeating the LTTE with learning from years of fighting insurgency. On the sidelines of the main sessions, an exhibition, replete with technological innovations and new potential defence equipment that have been produced by Research and Development section in the Ministry of Defence, and other local producers of warlike items and equipment, is to be held, enabling those innovators to receive an international exposure during those three days, the Commander elaborated.
The Sri Lankan delegates, composed of war veterans while sharing their knowledge on counter terrorism, on the other hand, will enumerate all other contributory factors in militarily defeating the LTTE, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya added.
The seminar simultaneously expects to broaden understanding and shares knowledge in effective counter terrorism strategy, operational and tactical level lessons, evolution of tactical level training, role of Human Rights in counter insurgency operations, rehabilitation of ex-combatants, preventive measures against resurgence of violence, introduction of political reforms, re-evaluation of the traditional model and the Sri Lankan experience.
The initiative under the aegis of the Secretary Defence is being organized by the Army since defence circles world-wide, have shown an exceptional interest in the Sri Lankan example as the question of terrorism is fast spreading its wings to many other corners of the world, the Commander underlined.
An online website that updates progress and detailed arrangements for the forthcoming seminar is to come into effect shortly, through which all information can be accessed day and night, the Commander told the media gathering.
Military Spokesman Major General U. A. B. Medawela, several senior officers in the Army were also present at Wednesday’s media briefing.
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