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Diplomacy Skills Training for Judicial Officers

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One-day training programme for newly appointed Judicial Officers organized by the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) held on 4th August 2025. Forty-nine new judges and the Judge of the High Court / Deputy Director of the Sri Lanka Judges Institute Justice Lakmal Wickramasooriya attended the programme.

   

The programme included introduction to Diplomacy, beginning of statecraft and developments, customs, exchange of gifts, organizing events and etiquette with a practical session on dining.

   

     

   

   

   

 

Another Milestone in Promoting International Humanitarian Law & Humanitarian Diplomacy

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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in collaboration with the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) organized a Two day Seminar on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Humanitarian Diplomacy on 17th & 18th July, 2025.

   

The seminar was tailored specially for the mid-level officers of the key government institutes including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism and Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force.

   

 

The event gave a comprehensive knowledge on how IHL is applied in an armed conflict, methods of warfare and contemporary challenges in armed conflict, application of IHL in post conflict situations with a focus on the missing persons, a peacekeeping operations, protecting and facilitating impartial humanitarian work as well as panel discussions on Humanitarian Diplomacy.

Earlier, in September, 2023 a similar programme exclusively organized for the senior and mid-level officers of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service and Officers of the Sri Lanka Administrative Officers serving in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to create awareness as well as to build capacity of all stakeholders involved in the implementation of IHL.

The two day event held at the Hotel Taj Samudra, was attended by thirty two officers nominated by the respective authorities.

   

   

26th Convocation of the BIDTI

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The Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) held its 26th Convocation on 15th July, 2025 at the Lotus Hall of the BMICH with the presence of the Hon. H. M. Vijitha Herath M. P., Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism as the Chief Guest. He was accompanied by the Guest of Honour, the Hon. Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Employment and Ambassador Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism. The 26th Convocation comprised of participants of the 9th Post Graduate Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs programme and XXVII & XXVIII Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs Programmes.

 

   

Director General of the BIDTI, Ambassador Pamela J. Deen welcoming guests congratulated the prospective awardees for their dedication in following respective programmes by going through a challenging and an arduous process to become recipients of awards and certificates. She also appreciated the commitment and the support extended to the Institute by the members of academia and other professionals. A short documentary relevant to activities conducted since the last convocation held in 2024 displayed to create awareness of the BIDTI programmes to the audience.

   

   

The Guest of Honour Hon. Arun Hemachandra, congratulating the prospective awardees for their achievement, appreciated the contribution made by the BIDTI in their journey of learning process. He added that the BIDTI not only shaping the next generation of diplomats but also service to the nation. Referring to the people centric policy followed by the government, he mentioned that in this era, diplomacy is rooted in the people. Thus, need of the country should come first and engage the world without compromising the dignity of the nation.

   

   

Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Guest Hon. Vijitha Herath praised the achievements of the prospective awardees regardless of the strenuous academic journey endured. He appreciated the contribution of the academia and the BIDTI for nurturing new generation of diplomats. Further, he said that the diploma awarded is not only a certificate it is a window of opportunity to engage with the outside world. He mentioned that when representing the country priority of a diplomat is promoting and safeguarding the national interest.  Referring to the foreign policy, he said that the government practice non-alignment as a corner stone of its policy, enabling to engage with all with enmity to none.

 

   

   

The Convocation took place among a distinguished gathering of Ambassadors and High Commissioners, members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of International Organisations, former Foreign Secretaries and Ambassadors, former Commanders of the Army and Navy, members of the Board of Management of the LKIIRSS, members of the Academia, representatives of the Tri Forces, Senior Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as family members of awardees.

   

   

Awards and certificates presented to prospective awardees by the Chief Guest, the Guest of Honour and the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism. Director General of the BIDTI presented mementoes to the Hon. Minister, Hon. Deputy Minister and to the Secretary of the Ministry as a token of appreciation to their support given to the Institute.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

BIDTI collaborates with the ICRC in promoting International Humanitarian Law

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A Panel discussion on ‘A Call to Preserve Humanity in War: The Initiative towards making International Humanitarian Law (IHL) a Global Priority’ was jointly organized by the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recently.

The Panel discussion was based on the ‘Global Initiative’ launched in New York on 27th September 2024 by six states namely Brazil, China, Jordan, Kazakhstan and South Africa together with the ICRC in response to the urgent need for collective action and political will to respect IHL and restore humanity.

Delivering the inaugural remarks Director General of the BIDTI Ambassador Pamela J. Deen stated that today we live in a more uncertain and perilous world. Thus, predictability and stability of a rules-based international order, marked by mutual respect and careful action, can no longer be taken for granted. The use of force, even at the risk of dangerous escalation, is becoming more common, and protracted conflict is becoming the norm. Multiple, simultaneous crises and conflicts across the globe strain the attention and resources of states, international bodies, and the public-at-large. Under these circumstances, the risk of transgressions of International Humanitarian Law has been greatly increased, together with the chance of impunity for its perpetrators. Therefore, it is more vital than ever to safeguard, spread, and uphold the knowledge and application of International Humanitarian Law.

   

 

The keynote speaker Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, the former Foreign Secretary  and the former Executive Director of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS), commended organisers for convening the timely event mentioning the prevailing global conflict situation. Referring to the history of the internal  uprising as well as the civil war in Sri Lanka, he appreciated the role played by the ICRC during the war and the post war period.

 

   

The Panel comprising of H. E. Sandile Schalk, High Commissioner for South Africa, Ambassador of France H. E. Rémi Lambert, ICRC  Regional Adviser for South Asia Prof. Andrey Kozik, and Deputy Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and Chairperson of the National IHL Committee of Sri Lanka Ms. Tilani Silva deliberated on the topic. Panelists gave a comprehensive account of the topic and the importance of creating awareness of International Humanitarian Law.

    

   

The panel discussion was followed by a dynamic Q&A session from the audience comprising of members of the diplomatic corps, academia, military, civil society and media attending the event held on 9th July, 2025 at the BMICH.

       

Viet Nam Ambassador visits the BIDTI

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Ambassador of Viet Nam to Sri Lanka Her Excellency Trinh Thi Tam visited the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) on 24th June, 2025.  Director General of the Institute Pamela J. Deen extended a warm welcome to the Ambassador and the First Secretary who accompanied her.

At the outset, both shared information relevant to their respective diplomatic training Institutes and programmes conducted. Referring to the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)  Ambassador Tam explained its main purpose is to train the Government officers. It also conduct special programmes whenever necessary.

Referring to the background of the BIDTI, Director General explained that despite being the training Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs it is conducting programmes for public who wish to learn diplomatic skills as well as conduct of International Relations. Further, she recalled the participation of several diplomatic officers from Viet Nam in programmes conducted by the BIDTI under the Technical Cooperation Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vietnamese Ambassador emphasized the purpose of her visit to the BIDTI in two folds. One is to strengthen the cooperation between the two institutes as per the scope of the MoU signed on 5th May, 2025 between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) during the State Visit of H. E. the President of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam. The second one is to arrange a visit of a High-Level delegation to the BIDTI during the forthcoming high-level visit to Sri Lanka from Viet Nam.

     

Launching of a Policy Paper on Indo Sri Lanka Relations

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The policy paper on ‘Bridging Trust Deficits: Unpacking Structural Challenges in Indo – Sri Lanka Relations’ authored by Mr. Shakthi De Silva was launched on  Friday, 13th June, 2025 at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) amidst a distinguished gathering.

    

Welcoming the gathering, Director General of the BIDTI revealed the significant of the event for the Institute to team up with the  (CLASS) to launch the publication. She referred to the author’s association with the Institute spanning over a decade, cited his achievements as a scholar.

    

Mr. De Silva presented a brief introduction of the publication and efforts taken to understand the importance of regional cooperation. He expressed his appreciation to Dr. Harinda Vidanage who is the Advisor and Director Mr. Nilanthan Niruthan of the CLASS for their encouragement and assistance extended to him and for publishing the policy paper.

  

The Keynote address delivered by the Executive Director of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute International Relations & Strategic Studies, Ambassador Ravinatha P. Aryasinha, highlighted the enduring ties between two nations giving insights from the history. He emphasized the importance of mutual understanding of reality for building a good relationship between each other to handle issues effectively.

Following a vibrant Q & A session, copies of the publication presented to Ambassador Aryasingha, Director General and Director Mr. Niruthan.

   

  

   

 

Kuru-Utumpala shares her experience in meeting challenges while scaling Everest

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The first Sri Lankan to summit Mount Everest Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala shared her experience in confronting challenges while scaling it.  Delivering a special guest lecture on ‘Challenging Gender Stereotypes to Reach the Top’ on 25th April 2025 at the BIDTI, she elaborated on the complications faced not only due to the stark climate conditions but also as a female.

   

At the outset, Kuru-Utumpala emphasized the importance of acclimatization when a decision is taken to go for a trekking.  In this regard, she explained her determination to proceed scaling the Everest, despite non availability of trekking equipment as well as outfits for women.

   

She enlightened the audience of the gender stereotypes and challenges facing when winning goals in the global arena as well. Further, she mentioned of the improvement of the global trade environment particularly, manufacturing equipment with regard to hiking and climbing mountains in the Asian region.

   

 

Participants coming from different backgrounds attending the lecture raised questions not only on speaker’s accomplishment but also on how to prepare for a similar challenge.  Kuru-Utumpala interacted with all who raised queries providing satisfactory answers.

    

The special guest lecture on ‘Challenging Gender Stereotypes to Reach the Top’ was organised by the BIDTI under the special events of the Institute launched in 2019.

   

Head of the UNIDIR visits the BIDTI

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Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) Dr. Robin Geiss visited the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) on 24th April, 2025.

    

The Director General of the BIDTI Pamela J. Deen briefed him of the activities of the Institute highlighting disarmament as a key area of its curriculum.  She apprised him that a number of Sri Lankan diplomats who were recipients of UN Disarmament Fellowships had contributed to the global disarmament activities. Further, she recalled efforts of Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala who served as the Director of the UNIDIR from 1987 to 1992 and the UN Under Secretary General of Disarmament Affairs from 1998 to 2003.

   

They discussed the possible collaboration between the BIDTI and the UNIDIR to create awareness in the field of disarmament and peacebuilding. In this connection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism has proposed to enter into a MoU between the two Institutes.

While Ms. Fanny Sebban, Associate Political Affairs Officer of the UNIDIR accompanied Dr Geiss and Ms. Dinushi Rupathunga of the UN & HR Division of the Ministry attended the meeting.

 

Training on ‘Tea Serving’

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Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) conducted a training programme on ‘Tea Serving Etiquette’ for the Office Assistants of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB). The training held on 25th March 2025 at the Institute attended by twenty one participants comprised from the Head Office as well as Regional Offices of the EDB.

Participants had a briefing on different occasions of offering tea service and the etiquette needs to follow according to the event.