Peiris to head Sri Lankan military officials in Security Summit

[TamilNet, Thursday, 03 June 2010, 09:51 GMT]
Former Chief Negotiator of the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the incumbent Foreign Minister G. L. Peiris, who recently left a scheduled meeting with journalists at the National Press Club without speaking, is heading a delegation to attend the 9th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia Security Summit, which is taking place in Singapore Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Peiris is scheduled to attend the Shangri-La dialogue to address defence ministers, defence secretaries, intelligence chiefs and national security and defence officials from 28 countries on Sri Lankan 'Counter-Insurgency' and the challenges of "reasserting control and governance in formerly LTTE held areas."

Peiris is also due to meet the Defence Secretaries of the UK and the US with a view to discussing Sri Lanka’s interests and updating them on the current developments in Sri Lanka, said a press release from the Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry issued on Wednesday.

The statement didn't mention the name of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan defence secretary, but said Peiris would head Sri Lankan Air Chief Marshall Roshan Gunathilake, the SL Army Commander Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya and other senior officials attending the summit.

The Shangri-La Dialogue, recognised as a key event for defence and security diplomacy for the region, was initiated in 2002 in response to the need for a forum where the Asia-Pacific’s Defense Ministers could engage in dialogue aimed at building confidence and fostering practical security cooperation.

Related Articles:
29.05.10   US awaits Sri Lanka action, despite rights groups’ warning
28.05.10   Journalists, NGOs unsettle Peiris's US visit