'Colombo Air Symposium 2017' Commenced Today
12:29pm on Thursday 12th October 2017
Sri Lanka Air Force’s 3rd key annual international defence conference, 'The Colombo Air Symposium - 2017' began at the Eagles Lakeside Banquet & Convention Hall this morning (12th Thursday,October 2017). The State Minister of Defence Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Mr. Kapila Waidyaratne PC Ambassadors of Iran and Pakistan, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri Forces Commanders, IGP, retired senior Air Force Officers, senior state officials, members of the diplomatic corps and distinguished scholars graced the occasion. This year the conference is being held under the theme “Air Power in Addressing Asymmetric Threats.”
During the opening session, the Director Training Air Vice Marshal PDKT Jayasinghe made the introductory speech while the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy delivered the opening remarks. Further, conveying his view as the Chief Guest, the State Minister of Defence Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene said that ,“Today, our main concern is applying Air Power in dealing with security threats that unfold asymmetrically. The conventional warfare and defence mechanisms are challenged with highly unconventional combinations of strategies, tactics and sometimes even with the diplomatic strategies. Cyber-attacks, drones, sabotage, suicide killings, terror tactics, media campaigns, guerilla attacks and fear tactics that cause mass hysteria have become common occurrences today. Asymmetric threats are the most complicated security threats to deal with due to their dynamic nature. The interface of threat is often concealed within the normal day to day setting and sudden occurrences often numb the unprepared community.”
The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Kapila Waidyaratne PC delivered the Key note speech.
The first day of the Symposium consists of four sessions including presentations under the sub-topics New Landscape of Threats, Regional Landscape, Advanced Persistent Threats and Air Power and Small States. 08 foreign and local speakers will share their knowledge during the opening day's sessions.
Tomorrow is the second and the final day of the Air Symposium and will consist of two sessions. 04 foreign and local speakers will share their knowledge on the second day.
During the opening session, the Director Training Air Vice Marshal PDKT Jayasinghe made the introductory speech while the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy delivered the opening remarks. Further, conveying his view as the Chief Guest, the State Minister of Defence Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene said that ,“Today, our main concern is applying Air Power in dealing with security threats that unfold asymmetrically. The conventional warfare and defence mechanisms are challenged with highly unconventional combinations of strategies, tactics and sometimes even with the diplomatic strategies. Cyber-attacks, drones, sabotage, suicide killings, terror tactics, media campaigns, guerilla attacks and fear tactics that cause mass hysteria have become common occurrences today. Asymmetric threats are the most complicated security threats to deal with due to their dynamic nature. The interface of threat is often concealed within the normal day to day setting and sudden occurrences often numb the unprepared community.”
The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Kapila Waidyaratne PC delivered the Key note speech.
The first day of the Symposium consists of four sessions including presentations under the sub-topics New Landscape of Threats, Regional Landscape, Advanced Persistent Threats and Air Power and Small States. 08 foreign and local speakers will share their knowledge during the opening day's sessions.
Tomorrow is the second and the final day of the Air Symposium and will consist of two sessions. 04 foreign and local speakers will share their knowledge on the second day.
