Secretary Defence Chief Guest at 'SASEAN' Inaugural Session

He expressed these sentiments while delivering the Keynote Speech at the South and South East Asian Nations (SA-SEAN) Defence Chiefs Dialogue 2014 at the Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo. The welcome address of the conclave was delivered by the Chief of Defence Staff General Jagath Jayasuriya at the outset of the inaugural session.

This is the first move into such meeting of Defence Chiefs in the region is held under the directives of Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Day two proceedings will be held at the Water's Edge hotel, Battaramulla tomorrow (29th Nov), and in Kingsbury hotel yet again in 29th.

The objectives of the SASEAN are to promote regional peace and stability through dialogue and cooperation in the spheres of defence and security, to promote mutual trust and confidence through greater understanding of defence and security challenges, transparency and openness, and to contribute to the establishment of a SASEAN Security Community (SCC) complimenting the objectives of CICA.

The three-day dialogue is being held under following themes

• Impact of internal and external endeavours of extremism, sectarianism and insurgency on the region

• Ensuring stability in the region in facing up to air, land and maritime territorial disputes, military modernization and arms race

• Strengthening cooperation and mutual support in disaster response

• Protection of territorial waters exclusive economic zone and mutual cooperation, preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in international waters, combined search and rescue operations

• Anti-piracy operations, arms smuggling, drug trafficking and human trafficking

• Maritime environmental issues and combined maritime exercises

Further speaking Mr. Rajapaksa said that, South and South East Asian Nations (SA-SEAN) Dialogue of Chiefs of Defence Staffs brings Chiefs of the Armed Forces in the South Asian and South East Asian regions to a common forum". It is our belief that the creation of a platform of this nature will enable a free and frank exchange of views and discussion on issues of mutual interest. This will help to improve inter military understanding and cooperation within the region, he also noted.

Elaborating on the transnational nature of threats along with the Sri Lankan past experience over the last thirty years he reiterated that, "The LTTE was a sophisticated terrorist organisation with a large international network. Its operatives were based in a large number of countries in Asia, Western Europe, North America and Australasia", He mentioned.

Accordingly, he explained that how LTTE financed their terrorist's activities using this network trough extortion, sale of narcotics, credit card fraud and voluntary contributions of various illicit elements. "These funds were also used to procure a remarkable arsenal of weapons that was shipped to Sri Lanka through international waters on board vessels sailing under various flags, he added.

While alerting the audience he went on to say that, "countries within the South and South East Asian have been used by such non state actors as meeting places, transit points or even temporary bases from which to initiate their activities.

Moreover, speaking on drug trafficking and how they impede law enforcement efforts he said that, we have seen instances where drug dealers have escaped law enforcement agencies by moving into other countries and staying in these countries illegally, using them as safe havens. Meanwhile, explaining deeply into significantly increasing human trafficking menace he also mentioned that, "sharing of intelligence enables militaries, law enforcement agencies and other key actors in upholding national security to improve their preparedness to combat such threats".

"Improving inter-military cooperation in terms of increased training, joint exercises, exchanges and assisting in capacity building are some other means through which regional security as a whole can be improved, he also emphasised.

Mr. Rajapaksa also praised Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff and his office for taking the initiatives to organise this mega conclave.

Chiefs of Defence Staff of South Asian and South East Asian Countries, Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weerathunga, Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order Dr. Mahinda Balasuriya, IGP, Tri-Forces Commanders, Foreign delegates and a large gathering of distinguished invitees were present at the event.  (KH/MoD)