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Wednesday, 6 June 2012 00:31 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
At the 11th Shangri-La Dialogue just concluded in Singapore Sunday (3), Sri Lanka, occupying a strategic location in the Indian Ocean, has highlighted the role the country played to ensure security in the region by eradicating the 30-year long terrorism from the country.
The 11th Asia Security Summit of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), known as the “Shangri- La Dialogue” commenced in Singapore
on 1 June with the participation of over 351 delegates representing foreign ministers, defence ministers, top military officials and analysts from over 27 countries.
Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris and Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabhaya Rajapaksa led a delegation to the Asian region’s biggest defence and security forum where, Prof. Peiris Saturday (2) presented a speech at one of the special sessions on South Asia’s Growing Security Threats.
The Minister has explained the significant role played by Sri Lanka in curbing international terrorism by ending a 30 year terrorist conflict and the country’s progress in achieving national reconciliation and sustainable economic development at the session.
On the first day of the forum, Minister Peiris has held bilateral discussions with Minister for Defence of Singapore Dr. NG Eng. Hen and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Dr. Dipu Moni.
He has expressed gratitude for the steadfast support these countries have extended to Sri Lanka at the UN and other regional forums.
Both Singapore and Bangladesh have acknowledged their enhanced interactions and sound bilateral relations with Sri Lanka and the parties resolved to strengthen co-operation further in the defence and security spheres including combating human smuggling, transnational organised crimes and upholding maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, the government said. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has invited both Singapore and Bangladesh to participate in the ‘Galle Dialogue’ Maritime conference held in Sri Lanka as the conference is becoming a significant forum to discuss important issues of regional maritime security concerns.
Sri Lanka is scheduled to have bilateral meetings with more countries including India and the USA.
