Pathfinder Foundation addresses Centre for Western China Frontiers Studies at Sichuan Uni, China

Admiral Prof. Colombage (centre) with Director of South Asian Studies Prof. Dai Yonghong, Secretary General for China Western Frontier Studies Dr. Wang Zhuo and other participants

Pathfinder Foundation Director Admiral Dr. Jayanath Colombage addressed an academic gathering at the Centre for Western China Frontier Studies at Sichuan University on the invitation of Sichuan University Director of South Asian Studies Professor Dai Yonghong, in Chengdu, China. 

Incidentally, this was the day to commemorate nine years after the defeat of the LTTE on Sri Lankan soil. Admiral highlighted that the Sri Lanka violent insurgency was a protracted and prolonged one and many categorised it as intractable due to the long period and the violent nature of the same. The conflict lasted almost three decades and tore apart the social fabric of the country and retarded development and practically devastated the country.  The LTTE was categorised as the “Most Ruthless Terrorist Organisation’ by the FBI in 2008. The LTTE was banned in 32 countries as a terrorist organisation and spearheaded one of the most sophisticated terrorist financing and money laundering network in the world up to today. 

Admiral Colombage further emphasised that Sri Lankan conflict has gone through various processes of conflict resolution including negotiations, mediated negotiations, peace keeping force, cease fire agreements and supervision of a cease fire agreement by international independent monitors, but the fighting continued killing around 100,000 people from all communities in the country. Finally, the Government of Sri Lanka was able to end one of the most violent conflicts in the contemporary world and liberated the whole country in May 2009. 

Determinants of success for winning this conflict and ending the human suffering can be attributed to the strong political leadership and resolve to end the war, Synergising political-military will, devising a grand strategy that is ‘ To End The War’, adaptation of asymmetric warfare tactics, strengthening, training and equipping armed forces, special tactical utilisation of special forces, developing accurate actionable intelligence, minimising corruption in military procurements, Sri Lanka Navy’s destruction of LTTE logistic network and floating warehouse ships, tactical advancing on multiple fronts by the Army, precise targeting by the Sri Lanka air force, enhancing coordination among the armed forces, use of strategic communications to mobile the whole of country approach to the war and withstanding outside pressure specially during the final phases of the war. 

It was a ‘just war’ and a rare victory, stated Admiral Colombage. This victory dispelled the myth that ‘insurgencies cannot be defeated militarily’. The May 2009 was not only a comprehensive victory but violence did not return to the country even after nine years, Sri Lanka was not caught in the ‘Conflict Trap’. 

In addition, on an invitation of the Sichuan, Promotion Association as representative of the Pathfinder Foundation Dr. Colombage called on the Chairman Lin Zhongqing and Secretary General Li Dongchuan of SCBR and discussed a range of issues concerning the Belt and Road Initiative and Sri Lanka. Admiral Colombage indicated that the Pathfinder Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan research and advocacy think-tank which has played a direct and catalytic role in promoting cooperation between China and Sri Lanka and among many other nations. He further stated that Pathfinder Foundation has established a dedicated centre for China-Sri Lanka studies and is working closely with many other leading think tanks and research centres in China. Moreover, the Pathfinder Foundation is interested in furthering people to people links between China and Sri Lanka through Buddhism and Tourism, especially with Sichuan province which is home to many sacred and prominent Buddhist sites. 

Chairman Lin expressed the objective on exploring investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. He also expressed his desire to visit Sri Lanka with a team of professionals and business leaders to explore the opportunities in Sri Lanka. Lin also indicated the desire to establish a link between SCBR and Pathfinder Foundation to enhance research-based activities in the field of economic cooperation, Indian Ocean Region and people-to-people connectivity.