Defeating Terrorism Sri Lankan Experience

Seminar On Defeating Terrorism Sri Lankan Experience Colombo - 31st May to 2nd June 2011

SRI LANKA

Outcome

A better understanding and sharing of knowledge in

	Comprehensive and effective counter terrorism strategy
	Operational and tactical level lessons covering; intelligence, field engineering, medical and operating behind enemy lines
	Evolution of tactical level training
	The role of Human Rights in Counter Insurgency operations
	Rehabilitation programmes to integrate ex combatants into society and measures taken to mitigate factors that might lead to resurgence of violence
	Political reforms to accommodate all ethnic communities and nation building
	The need to revisit the traditional model for counter insurgency and benchmark the Sri Lankan experience

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International Seminar on 'Defeating Terrorism - The Sri Lanka Experience'

An international seminar to share Sri Lankan experience on the road to military defeat of the world’s most ruthless terrorist organization, the LTTE was held on May 31, 1 & 2nd June 2011 at Colombo Galadari Hotel for three consecutive days, with focus on counter measures against global terrorism, terrorist trends, predominance of both political and military efforts, rapid resettlement, nation-building and threats to national and international security concerns.

Contributors and participants in the sessions were drawn from all corners of the world along with the representatives of different Government, International Non Governmental Organizations, Non Governmental Organizations and professionals, academics and military officials.

Those key delegates representing about 54 countries did dwell on strategies, needed for nation-building while endeavouring to explore adequate measures for countering, with special relevance to the Sri Lankan perspective in counter terrorism. The seminar was 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.

The Sri Lankan delegates, composed of war veterans while sharing their knowledge on counter terrorism, did enumerate all other contributory factors in militarily defeating the LTTE. The seminar is deemed to have broadened understanding and shared 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 was organized by the Army on the instructions of the Commander of the Army.

Defeating terrorism : Army to share its experience

The Sri Lanka Army will host an international seminar on defeating terrorism with the participation of military officials of 54 countries. The seminar will share Army’s experience in defeating the world’s most ruthless terrorist organization, Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya said.
Addressing a press briefing at the Army Headquarters the Army Commander stated that the three day seminar, “International Seminar on Defeating Terrorism-Sri Lanka Experience” organized under the guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa will commence on May 31 at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo.

The Army Commander further stated that the seminar will be focused on counter measures against global terrorism, terrorist trends, predominance of both political and military efforts, rapid resettlement, reconciliation moves, nation building and threats to national and international security concerns.

The Commander also stated that the seminar is also to review how the Sri Lankan approach transcended beyond the traditional approach and succeeded in defeating the LTTE learning from one years of fighting the insurgency. Speaking at the briefing the Commander said that Sri Lanka is the only country in the world that defeated terrorism so far in this century.

He added that the entire world has acknowledged the Army’s achievement and is keen to share the knowledge and the expertise gained by Sri Lankan Army. The Army Commander further stated that everything is being finalized and the invitations will be sent to the delegates through the Foreign Ministry. Already the Sri Lanka Defence Attache in India has confirmed the participation of 30 defence attaches of various countries in India.

He also stated that the Sri Lankan high ranking officials with first-hand experience in the humanitarian operation as well as foreign military heads dealing with international terrorism will take part as the speakers. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundara and External Affairs Minister Pro. GL Pieris will also participate as speakers at the seminar.
A website of defenseseminar.lk - will be launched in the second week of February and will be updated daily.

Courtesy: DailyNews

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