The Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) Sri Lanka, the premier think tank on National Security, functioning under the Ministry of Defence, organized the third edition of its national conference titled “National Security Conclave 2023” on Wednesday, 17th May 2023. The event was held at the auditorium of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Kandawala Estate, Ratmalana. Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President of the democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka graced the occasion as the chief guest. The conference was attended by Ministry officials, military officers, law enforcement agencies, researchers, academics from state Universities, think tanks, and senior experts from across the country.
The event commenced with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, the national anthem and a welcome dance performed by the cultural troop of Sri Lanka Navy which was followed by a documentary video of the Institute, its history and various facets of national security threats that Sri Lanka had undergone throughout the history. This was followed by a welcome speech delivered by the Acting Director General of the institute, Rear Admiral Dimuthu Gunawardena, RWP**,RSP,VSV,USP, ndc, hdmc, psc highlighting the fact that the national security of the 21st century has taken many dimensions other than military security.
Hon, Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President was then invited to the podium to address the gathering and delivered a comprehensive speech on the national security challenges in the 21st century. The chief guest stressed the necessity to address the national and global level national security concerns which may have a security concern to Sri Lanka. He further thanked and appreciated the effort taken by the staff of INSS to organize this conclave which enables to promote the research studies related to national security in Sri Lanka.
Subsequent to the inauguration ceremony, the first session, under the theme of “Elimination of Corruption for a Prosperous, Secure and Stable Sri Lanka,” was moderated by Major General Udaya Perera (Retd) RWP RSP VSV USP USAWC M.Sc. (IND)M.Sc.(USA) NDU-CT (USA) psc (SL) psc (IND), Group Head of Administration, Brandix Lanka Ltd. The three speakers of this session were Mr. S. Ranugge, Former Secretary to the Ministry of Export Development and International Trade and Visiting Lecturer at the University of Colombo, Sri Jayewardenapura, Open University of Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration. Mr. Ranugge critically discussed “Creating a Change in Administrative Systems and the Public Service Culture to Eliminate Corruption,” which enables to define corruption from a broad perspective. Mr. Sarath Jayamanne, PC, former Director-General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption, spoke on “The Need for Vibrant and Efficacious Laws and Independent and Efficient Law Enforcement” based on the significance of laws in preventing corruption in Sri Lanka. Hon. Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, PC, Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, deliberated on “Maintenance of the Rule of Law and Efficient and Effective Administration of Justice to Combat Corruption,” which signified the importance of an independent justice system to eliminate corruption in Sri Lanka.
The Second Session, themed “Climate, Cyber and Technology: Changing Dimensions in Security,” was moderated by Dr. Thesara Jayawardane, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Industrial Management, University of Moratuwa. Three speakers of this session were Senior Prof. Deepthi Wickremesinghe, Department of Zoology and Environment Science, University of Colombo, who discussed “Climate Change: Immediate Global Action in this Crucial Decade,” which highlights the impact of climate change as a global, national security challenge. Mr. Indika De Zoysa, Strategic Advisor/Vice President, Huawei Technologies Lanka Co.,(Pvt) Ltd, spoke on “Improving Cyber Resilience and Rapid Response to Enhance Cyber Security,”. In his presentation he mentioned how data has become the fuel in the new world and the importance of readiness and resilience.
The third speaker, Senior Prof. Ajith de Alwis, FNASSL, BSc Eng (Hons) Moratuwa, MBA, (PIM-Sri J), Ph.D. (Cambridge), Senior Professor of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, discussed on “Technologies, Integrated Data, and Analytical Tools for Decision Making” . In his presentation he finely portrayed how Artificial intelligence is taking over jobs of people and the future in a world of AI.
The third and final session is themed "Geopolitics in the New World Era" and was moderated by Dr. Harinda Vidanage, Head of the Department of Strategic Studies at KDU. Three speakers for this session included Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman of Pathfinder Foundation, Sri Lanka, delivered a presentation titled "Russia Vs. Ukraine War: Insights and Analysis," which emphasizes the effects of global security threats to Sri Lanka. Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinghe, Former Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Former Ambassador to the USA, UN in Geneva, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the EU, deliberated upon the "Power Struggle in the Indo-Pacific Region: Implications for Sri Lanka," where he highlighted the crucial role played by Sri Lanka amidst the power struggle in the Indo-Pacific Region. Finally, Professor Chaminda Padmakumara, Head of the Department of International Relations at the University of Colombo, discussed on "Sri Lanka's Significance in South Asia's Initiatives for Foreign Cooperation," . His presentation gave a South Asian aura for the audience which highlighted how international cooperation can be enhanced further.
Concluding the event, Ms. Nilmini Ulluwishewa, the Director Administration gave the official vote of thanks and extended gratitude to all those who helped INSS to make this event a success especially Major General Milinda Peiris RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, ndu, psc, MPhil (Ind), the Vice Chancellor of KDU for giving the venue and other assistance for the conduct of the event and Col Nalin Herath, RSP Director Media, Ministry of Defence for all efforts rendered to give wide media coverage for the event.
