International confab on terrorism opens in Colombo

[Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 5.00 GMT]    
 

An International Conference titled “Terrorism: A challenge to Democratically Elected Governments” will commence today (18) at the BMICH, Colombo. It is organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute.
 

Delegates representing 23 countries including Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Russia, South Africa and the US will participate in the three-day confab.
 

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama speaking to the media yesterday emphasised the need to eradicate the scourge of terrorism in all its manifestations and noted that the forum could act as a catalyst in reaching the desired goals in this regard.
 

While Foreign Minister Bogollagama is to deliver the inaugural address, Dr. Gerard Chaliand who served as the Director of European Centre for the Study of Conflicts will deliver the keynote address. French investigating Magistrate on counter-terrorism affairs, Judge Jean Louis Bruguire is the special Guest of Honour
 

The other principal speakers at the event would be former Commander of the Indian Army Gen. V.P. Malik, Dr.Rohan Guneratne Head of International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research-Singapore, David Leppan-founder and CEO World-Check, Shanaka Jayasekera-Researcher Macqiure University (Australia), Dr. Saman Kelegama-Executive Director, Institute of Policy Studies, Shyam Tekwani-Asst. Nanyang University (Singapore) and the leader of TULF V. Anandasangaree.

A concluding panel discussion is to be chaired by Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona.