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The Special Guest Lecture on ‘BIMSTEC : Fostering Regional Cooperation for Realizing Security and Sustainable Development in the Bay of Bengal Region’ was delivered by H. E. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) on 14^th October 2025 at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI).

Addressing the gathering, Secretary General Pandey emphasized the growing importance of regional multilateralism amidst global geopolitical uncertainties. He noted, “The global order is undergoing a fast-paced transformation, filled with unpredictabilities in politics, trade, and economy. In such a context, regional organizations like BIMSTEC have become even more relevant.” He highlighted that BIMSTEC, now a 28-year-old organization with seven member states, has evolved into a robust platform for cooperation in 16 key sectors.

 

Secretary General commended Sri Lanka’s leadership in science, technology, innovation, and health, adding that the country will soon host the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Colombo, a milestone for advancing technological collaboration among member states. He further mentioned that Sri Lanka would also play a leading role in the upcoming BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting, supported by a $4 million World Bank grant aimed at strengthening pandemic preparedness and response.

   

Reflecting on recent achievements, Secretary General Pandey referred to the Bangkok Vision 2030, adopted at the sixth BIMSTEC Summit, which provides a strategic roadmap for regional cooperation. He stated, “The vision reaffirms our collective determination to promote connectivity, trade, investment, and people-to-people contact in the Bay of Bengal region.”

The Secretary General elaborated on various initiatives, including the Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, the creation of centers of excellence in energy, weather and climate, and technology, and the development of sectoral action plans across trade, environment, and security. Notably, he cited, “We are creating a new expert group on women’s empowerment to mainstream gender perspectives in all areas of our cooperation.”

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s integral role, Pandey remarked, “If we look at BIMSTEC’s agenda and the Sri Lankan government’s sustainable development priorities, they are completely aligned. Regional cooperation through BIMSTEC contributes directly to achieving national goals.”

 

He concluded by reaffirming BIMSTEC’s non-political, cooperation-oriented character: “We remain focused on technical and economic collaboration, insulated from political fluctuations. This focus ensures our work continues to benefit all member states.”

 

 

 

The lecture underscored BIMSTEC’s vision of building a secure, sustainable, and interconnected Bay of Bengal region, while positioning Sri Lanka as a vital player in advancing regional collaboration for prosperity and shared growth.

 

 

The event, hosted at the BIDTI was a part of special guest lecture series of the BIDTI intended creating awareness on global issues. Welcoming the Secretary General H. E. Indra Mani Pandey, Director General stated that his visit was significant due to many reasons and the most important was that the BIDTI is a party to the MoU signed among diplomatic training institutes of BIMSTEC countries.  Event drew a distinguished audience of diplomats, former foreign secretaries and ambassadors, young officers, and scholars.

    

Newly arrived envoy of Nepal H. E. Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali visited the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) on 3^rd September, 2025.

Extending a warm welcome to the Ambassador of Nepal, Director General Pamela J. Deen gave a detail account of activities of the Institute. Further, having served in Nepal, she shed light on
the activities that took place during the time to further strengthen the excellent relationship enjoyed between Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Ambassador of Nepal took the opportunity to discuss the renewal of the MoU signed between the BIDTI and the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of Nepal.  It is learnt that though the both parties had agreed to the renewal, it was not taken place during the inaugural session of the Nepal-Sri Lanka Joint Commission held on 21^st December, 2023 in Kathmandu.

In view of familiarity of Director General  on opportunities of Nepal, Ambassador sought her views on potential of promoting tourism between the two countries.  They both agreed creating awareness of Buddhist and Hindu religious sites, exchange of artists etc.

Mr. Vijay Kumar Raut, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy accompanied the Ambassador.

The new Head of the Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to Sri Lanka Ms. Angelique Appeyroux visited the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) on 11^th September 2025. The Legal Adviser of the ICRC Ms. Prabodhini Munasinghe accompanied her.

Welcoming the Representative Appeyroux, Director General Ambassador Pamela J. Deen briefed her the longstanding relationship the BIDTI enjoys with the ICRC by organizing various programmes to disseminate Humanitarian Diplomacy, Humanitarian Law etc. Amongst those, upon her arrival in Sri Lanka  Ms. Appeyroux was involved in the two day seminar conducted on 17^th & 18^th July, 2025 tailored specially for the mid-level officers  of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism and Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force.

Appreciating the capacity building programmes held, Ms. Appeyroux stated that she wished to continue working with the BIDTI during recently introduced the three-year plan of 2025 – 2028 depending on the situation in the country. At present focus of the ICRC is on missing persons and addressing issues relevant to the post conflict situation in the country.

The Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) hosted Director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) Major General (Ret.) Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum on 22^nd September 2025 to deliver a special guest lecture on ‘Indo-Pacific Security Challenges’.  The APCSS serves as a focal point where national officials, decision makers and policy makers can gather to exchange ideas, explore pressing issues and achieve a greater understanding of the challenges that shape the security environment of the Indo-Pacific region.

Welcoming the Director of the APCSS Major General (Ret.) Vares-Lum, Director General Amb. (Ret.) Pamela J. Deen thanked the US Embassy for the initiative taken to organize the lecture on a timely topic.  The BIDTI considered including the topic as a part of its special guest lecture series intended to create awareness on topics of global importance. Stating that despite the role of the APCSS is different from the BIDTI, she mentioned that the both Institutes share a few things, as both established in 1995 observe thirty years in 2025, as well as past and present participants of the BIDTI programmes are alumni of the APCSS. Hence, it is evident that the both Institutions are trying to build relationships through academic programmes to understand and cooperate with all.

Director Vares-Lum provided insightful perspectives on the evolving strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting both traditional and non-traditional security concerns. Her remarks emphasized the importance of cooperation, dialogue, and resilience in addressing maritime security, geopolitical competition, and transnational challenges that directly impact regional stability.

The lecture followed a lively Q & A session, where participants expressed appreciation for in depth of analysis and the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue on a subject of global significance. An alumnus of the APCSS, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Y. N. Jayarathne moderated the Q & A session facilitating an energetic discussion between the guest speaker and the participants.

  

The event concluded with another alumnus of the APCSS and a participant of the XXX^th Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs programme of the BIDTI, Capt. Buddika Indiketiya delivering the vote of thanks.

The session brought together a distinguished audience comprising former Foreign Secretaries, Ambassadors, Senior Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Board Members of the LKI, Members of the Army, Navy and Air Force who are Alumni of the APCSS, Members of Media as well as Participants of the BIDTI programmes.

One-day training programme for newly appointed Judicial Officers organized by the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) held on 4^th 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.

   

     

   

   

   

 

The Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) held its 26^th Convocation on 15^th 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 26^th Convocation comprised of participants of the 9^th 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.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Ambassador of Viet Nam to Sri Lanka Her Excellency Trinh Thi Tam visited the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) on 24^th 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 5^th 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.

     

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.