Deliberation of information plays key role in national security: Army Chief

Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said yesterday that their success in maintaining national security is defined by how they receive information and how they use it.

Delivering the welcome address at the ‘Colombo Defence Seminar - 2019’ at the BMICH in Colombo, the commander said they strongly believe that information should be shared among like-minded nations.

He said the Colombo Defence Seminar has been designed to share their experiences not only necessarily their successes but also the debacles endured by them.

The ‘Colombo Defence Seminar' organised by the Army for the ninth consecutive year commenced amid ceremonials and traditions, themed on ‘Evolving Military Excellence in the Contemporary Security Landscape’.

President Maithripala Sirisena participated at the event as the chief guest. Foreign representatives of 42 countries were present at the inauguration ceremony yesterday.

“I’m also reminded of what Einstein once said. He said that he did not know what weaponry would be used in World War 3, but he was sure that rocks and sticks will be used during world war 4,” Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said.

He said that in the seminar’s context they are embarking on a robotic age and it prompts them to embrace technology. “When I dwell upon Einstein’s statement, it makes me hesitant in unquestioningly embracing technology. Human involvement in security is something that cannot be written off hastily,” the Commander said.

“My mind is also challenged by corporate world thinking, such as the triple bottom line concept (people, planet and profit). I strongly believe that the future of the modern-day military will have to fall in line with such concepts while preserving its identity as a military, which is the sole protector of a sovereign nation, and who also plays a significant role in nation-building,” Lieutenant General Silva said. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)