Sri Lanka has to be alert to global threats – Army Chief

Sri Lanka is now one of the most peaceful countries but we all have to be alert to global threats, the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva said.

“Sri Lanka is now one of the most peaceful countries but we all have to be alert to global threats, be it drug peddling, human trafficking, manmade and natural disasters, terrorism or whatever it is.” 

“It could become a threat at any moment,” he told reporters in Colombo today. 

He stated that Sri Lankan armed forces have proved beyond doubt that they are professionally skilled and qualified to take on any challenge.

The Army Chief was addressing a media briefing announcing the arraignments for the 5th “Defence Seminar – 2015” being held under the theme ‘National Security in the Context of Emerging Global Threats’ in Colombo from September 1 – 2.

“For any military in the world, national security is the priority and all military officers are therefore committed to preserve it. This forum discusses and exchanges views on matters of security concern to the region as well as to the world, taking current global trends into consideration. 

“The Army has gained recognition for conduct of this interactive dialogue since its founding in 2011. This has enabled us to get a better exposure and the ever swelling numbers attending it every year itself is a testimony to this global recognition”, the Army Commander said.

He stated that the seminar has also contributed to strengthening of mutual bonds of goodwill with all supporting the country and its armed forces. 

He stated that the Sri Lanka Army has extended invitations to the US ambassador and a number of diplomats and that the Ambassadors for China and Pakistan are among invited speakers to the sessions. 

“The Army in the past six years after the war reached high degree of professionalism through the experiences and special training sessions conducted.”

“It is this professionalism which has brought commendation to the organization,” he pointed out.   

This year’s comprehensive two-day sessions while mainly focusing on ‘National Security in the Context of Emerging Global Threats’ are segmented into nine separate sessions under sub themes, such as ‘Nature of Threats Affecting the National Security of a Nation’, ‘Emerging World Order’, ‘Terrorism and Challenges to National Security’ and ‘Non-military Threats to National Security’ etc and the seminar is to be attended by 350 invitees, including 66 foreign delegates.