Friday, December 14, 2012
Srilanka::The 'Galle Dialogue 2012' organized by the Sri Lanka Navy under the patronage of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development began this morning (13th December 2012) at the Light House Hotel in the southern port city of Galle.
Hon. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G L Peiris graced the event as the chief guest. The guest of honour, Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa made the keynote address. The welcome remarks were made by the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage.
Held for the third consecutive time 'Galle Dialogue 2012' brings together representatives from 29 countries including Sri Lanka to discuss matters on a vide range of maritime related issues.
Held under the theme "Strategic Maritime Cooperation and partnerships to face the future with confidence" the international conclave will see a number of speeches, presentations and panel discussions by subject related experts, intellectuals, diplomats and naval representatives from around the world.
The city of Galle provides the perfect setting for this two day international maritime conference. With a rich heritage and long maritime history, Sri Lanka rightly deserves due recognition for conducting such an event of international importance. The importance of the 'Galle Dialogue' is evident by the increasing number of participating countries from the inaugural event in 2010, where only 10 nations were represented to the impressive rise this year. Last year 19 countries had sent in their delegations.
Making the keynote address the Secretary Defence thanked all those present for their participation. He said that Strategic cooperation and partnership is essential to achieve lasting security, stability and success in the Indian Ocean region.
Stressing the importance of the Indian Ocean he said that despite adverse global economic conditions, the volume of world's containerized cargo that crosses the Indian Ocean has only increased over time and there is keen interest among the nations in assuring the safety and security of it.
Talking on the threats posed by the Indian Ocean he said that these threats may seriously affect the security, stability and sustainability of the Indian Ocean region and its impact is felt not only by regional littoral nations but also globally. He identified piracy, terrorism, illegal human, drug and arms trafficking, illegal and unregulated fishing and waste disposal as the major issues among others that seriously affect the security and sustainability of the Indian Ocean.
The Secretary revealed that Sri Lanka together with India and the Maldives have recently been working on a trilateral agreement for cooperation in carrying out surveillance, anti piracy operations and curbing illegal activities including maritime pollution.
He categorically stated that from Sri Lanka's perspective the Chinese investment in the Hambantota port is purely economic and not otherwise. Sri Lanka has always pursued a non-aligned foreign policy, and its only interest is in its economic development, he added.
He admitted that it was unfortunate to note the sense of mistrust between major powers in the Indian Ocean region that limits effective and long lasting multilateral cooperation. He maintained that Sri Lanka has a particular interest in promoting multilateral cooperation between the major powers present in this region.
In conclusion the Secretary Defence expressed optimism that the presentations and discussions during the two day sessions will be instrumental in fostering improved multilateral cooperation, build better partnership between naval powers in the region that will benefit not only the nations in the Indian Ocean littoral but the entire world, and enable all of us to face the future with confidence.
Hon. Governor of the Southern Province, Chief of Defence Staff, Additional Secretary (Defence) of the Ministry of Defence, Commander of the Army, Commander of the Air Force, Director General of the Civil Defence Department, Director General of the Coast Guard, ambassadors, diplomats, foreign dignitaries and senior military officers were present at the occasion.
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