5th Edition of the Colombo Air Symposium 2019 Lifts Off
7:28pm on Thursday 24th October 2019
The 5th consecutive edition of the Colombo Air Symposium commenced this morning (24 October 2019) at the Eagles’ Lakeside Banquet and Convention Hall at Attidiya, Ratmalana. The days proceedings commenced with the arrival of the Chief Guest, State Minister of Defence, Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene.
The Symposium was attended by the Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Shantha Kottegoda (Retired), High Commissioners and Ambassadors from Foreign countries, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army, Commander of the Navy, past Commanders of the SLAF, Senior Officers of Tri Services, senior state officials, members of the diplomatic corps and distinguished scholars graced the occasion.
During the opening session, the Director Training, Air Vice Marshal MDAP Payoe made the introductory speech. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias delivered the welcome address of this years symposium conducted under the theme ‘A Small Air Force: Way Forward in Achieving Future Vision’. The Commander spoke of how the Colombo Air Symposium, over a span of 5 years has achieved recognition as one of the most sought after discourse in Asia. He also stressed on how synergetic incorporation of key concepts such as technological advancements, force re-structuring and multilateral corporation will enable Air Forces with limited resources and capabilities in ensuring their national interests.
The Key Note Speech was delivered by Dr. David Brewster. Dr. Brewster is a Senior Fellow of the National Security College in the Australian National University. He specializes in Indian Ocean Security and Indo Pacific issues. Following the Key Note Speech, mementos were presented by the Commander of the Air Force to the Chief Guest, Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and the Key Note Speaker. In addition to the memento, the Chief Guest was also presented with the inaugural copy of the Colombo Air Symposium 2019 Journal.
The first session of the Colombo Air Symposium 2019, under the topic of ‘Doctrine Beyond Dogma’, addressed the reshaping of Air Strategy through technology, Synergy and Innovation and also a weak actors response to asymmetric threats for an Air Force. The session was moderated by Professor Amal Jayawardane. The two speakers for this session were Air Vice Marshal PDKT Jayasinghe and Air Commodore II Kuttappa.
The second session, on the topic of “Conceptual Transition” focused on Small Air Forces at critical junctures and Air Options for a small Air Force. This Session was moderated by Major General John B. Williams from the US Air Force. The two speakers of this session were Professor Sanu Kainikara and Group Captain MD Zahir Uddin.
The third session, under the topic of “Paradigm Shift of Air Power”, addressed the Algorithms of Air Power and the evolution of Air Power. The session was moderated by Professor Rohan Munasinghe. The two speakers for this session were Dr. Heather P. Venable and Lieutenant Colonel Tamura Shunei.
The Fourth and final session of the first day took on the topic of “Exploring Core Competencies” was moderated by Air Vice Marshal Andrew Wijesuriya. The session focused on staying relevant and passage plan to exploit internal strengths. The two speakers for this session were Mr. Malinda Meegoda and Rear Admiral YN Jayaratne.
The Colombo Air Symposium will continue tomorrow for the second and final two sessions.
The Symposium was attended by the Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force Roshan Goonetileke, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Shantha Kottegoda (Retired), High Commissioners and Ambassadors from Foreign countries, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army, Commander of the Navy, past Commanders of the SLAF, Senior Officers of Tri Services, senior state officials, members of the diplomatic corps and distinguished scholars graced the occasion.
During the opening session, the Director Training, Air Vice Marshal MDAP Payoe made the introductory speech. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias delivered the welcome address of this years symposium conducted under the theme ‘A Small Air Force: Way Forward in Achieving Future Vision’. The Commander spoke of how the Colombo Air Symposium, over a span of 5 years has achieved recognition as one of the most sought after discourse in Asia. He also stressed on how synergetic incorporation of key concepts such as technological advancements, force re-structuring and multilateral corporation will enable Air Forces with limited resources and capabilities in ensuring their national interests.
The Key Note Speech was delivered by Dr. David Brewster. Dr. Brewster is a Senior Fellow of the National Security College in the Australian National University. He specializes in Indian Ocean Security and Indo Pacific issues. Following the Key Note Speech, mementos were presented by the Commander of the Air Force to the Chief Guest, Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and the Key Note Speaker. In addition to the memento, the Chief Guest was also presented with the inaugural copy of the Colombo Air Symposium 2019 Journal.
The first session of the Colombo Air Symposium 2019, under the topic of ‘Doctrine Beyond Dogma’, addressed the reshaping of Air Strategy through technology, Synergy and Innovation and also a weak actors response to asymmetric threats for an Air Force. The session was moderated by Professor Amal Jayawardane. The two speakers for this session were Air Vice Marshal PDKT Jayasinghe and Air Commodore II Kuttappa.
The second session, on the topic of “Conceptual Transition” focused on Small Air Forces at critical junctures and Air Options for a small Air Force. This Session was moderated by Major General John B. Williams from the US Air Force. The two speakers of this session were Professor Sanu Kainikara and Group Captain MD Zahir Uddin.
The third session, under the topic of “Paradigm Shift of Air Power”, addressed the Algorithms of Air Power and the evolution of Air Power. The session was moderated by Professor Rohan Munasinghe. The two speakers for this session were Dr. Heather P. Venable and Lieutenant Colonel Tamura Shunei.
The Fourth and final session of the first day took on the topic of “Exploring Core Competencies” was moderated by Air Vice Marshal Andrew Wijesuriya. The session focused on staying relevant and passage plan to exploit internal strengths. The two speakers for this session were Mr. Malinda Meegoda and Rear Admiral YN Jayaratne.
The Colombo Air Symposium will continue tomorrow for the second and final two sessions.
