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Special guest lecture by Prof. Bérénice Guyot-Réchard

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A Special Guest Lecture was conducted at the BIDTI on 26th May, 2023 by Prof. Bérénice Guyot-Réchard of King’s College London exclusively for participants of the BIDTI programmes.

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Prof. Guyot-Réchard is the author of the critically acclaimed ‘Shadow States: India, China and the Himalayas, 1910-62’. A specialist of modern South Asia and the Indian Ocean, Prof. Guyot-Réchard holds an associate professorship in contemporary international history at King’s College London. Her award-winning work focuses on the long-term impact of decolonization, particularly in terms of international politics. She has written extensively on the strategic borderlands between India, China and Burma.

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During her presentation, Prof. Guyot-Réchard revealed how the political tensions between two nations that took place from 1949 – 1962 who are striving for development have been exacerbated by geography and how sharing a border has increased their rivalry. Professor paid special significance to the friction in the Eastern Himalayan borderlands to which both nations lay claim. She explained the competition between the two nations to win over hearts and minds of the people in the border areas.

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The Independence Print Exhibition at the BIDTI

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The Independence Print Exhibition was held at the BIDTI on the 19th of May 2023. The exhibition was based on a selection of newspapers from the L. S. W. Pathirathne Collection curated by Dr. George I. H. Cooke, Initiator of Awarelogue Initiative.

            

The Director General of the BIDTI, Ambassador Pamela J. Deen, speaking at the event, stated that the BIDTI was pleased to host the exhibition for two reasons. She said that as an academic institute, it is the responsibility of the BIDTI to create awareness on new knowledge that comes into light. And also, the special relationship the BIDTI has with Dr. Cooke, who is a prominent alumnus and a notable resource person.

Dr. Cooke spoke of why it was important to explore events such as those found in the collection, especially at a time after 75 years, Sri Lanka gained its Independence. He said that it was a despair that the true spirit of independence has been overshadowed by the promotion of sensitive and controversial topics rather than knowledge and truth.

Dr. Cooke also showed great appreciation towards Mr. Pathirathne and his family who gifted him the collection. He mentioned that Mr. Pathirathne’s great thirst for knowledge and more importantly his desire for its preservation paved the way for the exhibition.

The newspapers which were presented shed light on different aspects of independence including how the first Independence was celebrated, what other global events took place at the time and reaction of prominent characters during Sri Lanka’s Independence.

The awe-inspiring collection was studied and admired by all visitors who left with a sense of appreciation for the event.

Inauguration of the XXVIIth Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs Course

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With the arrival of the New Year, the BIDTI welcomed a new batch of participants on the 17th of April 2023, who joined the XXVIIth Diploma in Diplomacy &World Affairs Course.

       

           

Following a documentary depicting the activities of the BIDTI, the Director General Ambassador Pamela J. Deen spoke about the course and the opportunities it can offer. She explained what the participants could expect from following the course and the real- world benefits of being part of the programme.

Former participant of the programme and the recipient of the Sirimavo Bandaranaike award of the XXIInd Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs Course, Ms. Lihini Boteju then spoke of her own experience of following the programme. She offered words of encouragement to participants to face this new chapter in their lives with interest, curiosity and ingenuity.

 

Following refreshments and mingling, the inaugural lecture on ‘An Introduction to Diplomacy’ commenced. It was delivered by Dr. George Cooke who is a former Foreign Service Officer, Diplomatic Historian and Strategist and a renowned, author and editor.  Dr. Cooke’s lecture acquainted the participants with the world of Diplomacy including all it compasses, its effects and the origins of modern diplomacy in Sri Lanka.

Visit by Counsellor of the Spanish Embassy in New Delhi

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Counsellor Alfonso Herrero Corral of the Embassy of Spain accredited to Sri Lanka from New Delhi met with the Director General Pamela J. Deen on the 30th of March 2023 at the BIDTI. Counsellor Corral is on a fact finding mission to promote the presence of Spain and its culture in Sri Lanka.

He met with the Director General to discuss possible collaboration between diplomatic institutes of the two countries. Welcoming the idea, the Director General briefed him of the origin as well as the activities of the BIDTI. She also suggested Spanish authorities to consider conducting a specialized Spanish language training programme for the Officers of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service.

Libyan Representatives visits the BIDTI

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Charge d’ Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the State of Libya Dr. Mahmood A.M. almaalool, met with the Director General on 23rd February 2023 at the BIDTI. He was accompanied by Diplomatic Officer Mr. Faek Aboud who joined the mission recently.
Welcoming the delegation, the DG briefed them on the background of the BIDTI and its activities. Dr. Mahmood giving an introduction of the Libyan Diplomatic Training Institute where he was Director earlier, expressed an interest in establishing a partnership between the two diplomatic training institutes.
Both parties also referred the long standing friendly relationship between the two countries and expressed desire to further strengthen ties for the mutual benefit.

Dutch Ambassador Visits the BIDTI

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Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka H.E Bonnie Horbach visited the BIDTI on 14th February 2023.
Welcoming the Dutch envoy, the Director General of the BIDTI briefed on the background of the institute and its programmes conducted for the Foreign Service Officers as well as for the general public.
Ambassador Horbach shared her views about peace and security, women empowerment, geo-politics as well as other areas that are worth considering. She emphasised that small countries like the Netherlands and Sri Lanka should get together to form a global rules based order which is lacking presently.
Ambassador Horbach and DG also exchanged views on furthering relations between the two diplomatic institutions.
Upon relocation of the BIDTI to the BMICH premises, the Dutch Ambassador was the first diplomatic envoy to visit the Institute.
The Director General conveyed best wishes to Ambassador Horbach for a successful and pleasant assignment in Sri Lanka.

Tea Serving Etiquette Training Programme

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The BIDTI conducted a one-day Training programme on ‘Tea Serving Etiquette’ for Office Employees Service (OES) Officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday 26th November 2022.
Fifty (50) officers participated in the simulation exercise and were trained on basic Tea Serving Etiquette. Two practical sessions were conducted in collaboration with Operations Manager Mr. Laxman Dissanayake and Restaurant Manager Chaminda Boteju of the Mt. Lavinia Catering under the guidance of the Director General of the BIDTI.
While the first session was of an instructive and demonstrative nature, the second session was a simulation exercise allowing participants to practice what they have learnt.
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24th Convocation of the BIDTI

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The 24th Convocation of the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) was held on Friday, 28th October 2022 at the BMICH under the patronage of the Hon. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. He was accompanied by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs M. U. M. Ali Sabry,
the Hon. State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya and Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amb. Aruni Yasodha Wijewardane.
Delivering the Keynote address, the Prime Minister stated that Sri Lanka’s greatest asset and strength has been "a solid civilisation that runs into over 25 Centuries and a well cultured human resource that was highly skilled and was able to manage the East and West throughout history and create wonders in the world". Hence it is necessary to equip the country’s representatives abroad with the skills to face challenges that have arisen nationally and internationally.
In his address the Minister of Foreign Affairs giving a brief history of the BIDTI, congratulated all awardees and thanked the BIDTI for its efforts.
The Convocation ceremony consisted of awardees from academic years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 who received their awards amidst the presence of a distinguished audience comprising of Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Sri Lanka, representatives of International Organisations, former Foreign Secretaries and Ambassadors as well as officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the former Attorney General, former Secretary of Parliament and visiting lecturers of the BIDTI.
The Prime Minister presented awards to the recipients of the Post Graduate Diploma as well as to the recipients of the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Prize, the Vernon Mendis Memorial Prize as well as the Lorna Dewaraja Memorial Prize. The Ceremony continued with awarding certificates by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya and Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amb. Aruni Wijewardane.
Over 150 participants of the Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs and 36 participants of the Post Graduate Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs received their awards and certificates at the Convocation.
The BIDTI wishes to congratulate all the awardees.

Three Constitutions and Three Decades of Working in the Parliament

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Speaking at the BIDTI on Friday 30th September, the former Secretary General of Parliament Nihal Seneviratne highlighted the advantage of the constitution introduced by the Soulbury Commision stating that it was the best constitution Sri Lanka had up to date.
Having served in the Parliament over 30 years, Seneviratne elaborated on the evolution of the Constitution from the Colbrooke – Cameron reforms of 1833 up to the 1978 Constitution. He reiterated the importance of safeguarding the Constitution to uphold democratic values. Further, he discussed about the Executive Presidency, its influence and effects to the country shedding light on the variety of speeches orated over the years in the Parliament.
Highlights of his experience shared with the audience was received with an overwhelming response from the former Foreign Secretaries, Ambassadors, Military personnel, Academics, media as well as alumni of the BIDTI. The lecture was followed by an interactive session where many expressed concerns of the prevailing economic and political situation in the country suggesting remedial action.
Mr. Seneviratne’s speech was a part of the Special Guest Lecture Series initiated by the BIDTI in 2019 as an exercise in creating awareness on the contemporary topics among the general public. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the lecture series was suspended in March, 2020 and relaunched after two and half years with his lecture.

Seminar on IHL and Humanitarian Diplomacy

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A two day seminar on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) & Humanitarian Diplomacy jointly organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) for officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held on 17th and 18th September, 2022 at the Mövenpick Hotel in Colombo.
Welcoming the participants the Director General Pamela J Deen appreciated the attendance of the senior officials of the Ministry irrespective of the long weekend. She also extended a warm welcome to the Chair of the National IHL Committee of Sri Lanka and the Deputy Legal Advisor Thilani Silva who was representing Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Further, she extended a warm welcome to the new Head of the ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka Severine Chappaz and the Regional Legal Advisor for South Asia George Dvaladze who especially arrived in Sri Lanka for the event.
Director General elaborated the longstanding relationship the BIDTI has with the ICRC and efforts undertaken to educate IHL and Humanitarian Diplomacy in its programmes. Further, she gave details of the four webinars relevant to new technologies and challenges to IHL, jointly organized during the Covid 19 pandemic. In this background, she said that it was envisaged to promote the excellent cooperation enjoyed between the two institutes.
Head of the ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka Severine Chappaz appreciated the cooperation extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in organising the seminar soon after her assumption of duties in Sri Lanka. Elaborating the role of the ICRC in attending to humanitarian needs, she mentioned of her intention to work closely with all stakeholders in this regard.
Chair of the National IHL Committee of Sri Lanka and the Deputy Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thilanie Silva delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted the importance of learning IHL with the evolution of the technology and also the increased complexity of the cyber warfare.
An introduction to ICRC activities in Sri Lanka presented by the Networking Adviser of the ICRC Sylvester Worthington said that the main idea of the IHL was to protect humanity.
It was encouraging to note the robust interaction participants had with the resource persons demonstrating the importance of the seminar for their profession.
The event concluded with awarding certificates to participants attended.