‘Galle Dialogue 2019’ commences in Colombo on high note

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, 21^st 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.