The ‘Galle Dialogue- 2019’, the 10th Annual International Maritime Conference of the Sri Lanka Navy commenced at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, yesterday.Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General (Retd) S.H.S. Kottegoda, Admiral of the Fleet, Wasantha Karannagoda, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva were also present at the occasion. The conference is being held under the theme “Refining Mindset to Address Transnational Maritime Threats; A Review of the Decade”. Speaking further Minister Wijewardena also said that the oceans will continue to be the meeting ground for nations and they will also constitute the hope of mankind in search of new sources of sustenance.
“Sri Lanka’s location in the Indian Ocean plays a vital role in the maritime route of the East and West and the strategic importance of Sri Lanka in the maritime history is much bigger compared to its small size,” he said. “Transnational threats are becoming one of the major security issues in the IOR and this has endangered the security of the major sea routes of the Indian Ocean.” Fortified with the advantage of this unique position in the Indian Ocean, we are looking at the future with great expectations to regain our maritime glory in the Indian Ocean by promoting trade and tourism so that we can make Sri Lanka an important maritime node in this vital sea stretch, he further said.
Sri Lanka recognises the value of Freedom of Navigation and the smooth flow of trade and energy across the Indian Ocean as a common norm abided by each and every peaceful nation. Therefore, Sri Lanka will take part in any initiative that helps to protect this vital Freedom of Navigation and the smooth flow of trade and energy. In doing so, we are ready to work with our regional as well as global partners, he stressed.
He said that no country is capable of handling maritime security threats and challenges in isolation. The need is to think globally and engage in a structured and cooperative mechanism in view to effectively address maritime security threats and challenges. In conclusion he expressed confidence that the Galle Dialogue 2019 would be an eye-opening forum to understand the issues in IOR and establish a common mindset and this endeavour will focus on preparing for the future with a revised structure offering a cooperative mechanism and a renewed “mindset” to address transnational maritime threats based on the experiences of the stakeholders in last 10 years.
The International Maritime Conference, ‘Galle Dialogue 2019’, organized by the Sri Lanka Navy under the patronage of the Ministry of Defence, commenced in the commercial capital of Colombo today, 21st October 2019. The State Minister of Defence, Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Local and foreign scholars and experts in naval and maritime affairs representing 55 countries including India, China, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States along with 12 international organizations and 03 Defence Industries are taking part in this year’s conference.
The opening remarks were made by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva. The State Minister of Defence delivered the keynote address at the inaugural session. A group of high ranking naval officers and representatives of international organizations will be presenting their papers at the conference being held under the theme of “Refining mindset to address transnational maritime threats; A review of the decade”.
The purpose of the Galle Dialogue International Maritime Conference inaugurated by the Sri Lanka Navy in 2010 is to provide a common platform for stakeholders of national and international repute to discuss and deliberate maritime related issues.
The Indian Ocean has witnessed an unparalleled maritime insecurity during the last decade such as proliferation of arms, piracy, human trafficking, maritime terrorism and narcotics trafficking which in turn threaten the stability in the region and pose a great threat to Sea Lines of Communication. In this regard, Sri Lanka Navy played an enormous role for strengthened the maritime security and safety of SLOCs in Indian Ocean Region.
In this backdrop, Sri Lanka Navy is privileged to organize this annual event that aims at strengthening the regional maritime cooperation and formulating a global strategy to face common challenges in the maritime domain.
The State Minister of Defence, Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene, former Navy Commander, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Secretary to the President, Mr. Udaya Ranjith Seneviratne, Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Sri Lanka, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Shantha Kottegoda (Retd), Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias and a host of senior government and military officials were also among the VIPs who attended the inaugural session.
