News

Bangladesh Cadets interact with the BIDTI

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An eighteen-member delegation from the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh met with the Director General of the BIDTI on Friday 21st January 2022. Sixteen cadets who joined the Foreign Service Academy last year were led by officials of the Academy Director Farhana Ahmed Chowdhhury and Assistant Secretary Dattasree Rajib Kumar. The Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Sri Lanka Md. Reyad Hossain accompanied the delegation to the interactive session.

Welcoming the delegation to Sri Lanka as well as to the BIDTI, Amb. Pamela J. Deen congratulated the cadets in joining the Diplomatic Service which is one of the oldest professions in the world. She emphasised the importance of building relationships with their counterparts, which would benefit their respective countries enhancing closer cooperation between nations.

Furthermore, elaborating on the friendly relations enjoyed between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Amb. Deen reminisced close cooperation Sri Lankan diplomats had with their Bangladeshi colleagues. Further, she briefed on interactions the BIDTI had with diplomats of Bangladesh attending Technical Cooperation Programmes organised since 2000 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She also congratulated them on the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh, and acknowledged the impressive economic growth of the country.

The BIDTI resumes academic activities in physical setting

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With the dawn of year 2022, the BIDTI resumed academic activities with the physical attendance of participants. It would allow participants to get the maximum benefit through interacting with resource persons and fellow peers, thus enhancing the benefit of the course.

Accordingly, activities in physical settings commenced with the lecture on Global Health Diplomacy on 4th January conducted by Dr. Sapumal Dhanapala, National Programme Officer of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Sri Lanka. Followed by lectures on ‘Facing Media Interviews’ conducted by Ms. Savithri Rodrigo, a leading media personality, on ‘Climate Diplomacy’ by Dr. L. Batuwitage, Consultant in Sustainable Development and the ‘History of Defence Services of Sri Lanka’ by the former Army Commander, General C.S.Weerasooriya.

The Diploma Course gives an opportunity to acquire a variety of skills and knowledge disseminated by experts/professionals in their respective fields.

Every year the BIDTI adds new topics of importance to the curriculum of the Diploma course to create awareness  of global issues for its participants.

XXV Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs Course Inaugurated

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The XXV Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs Course of the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) was inaugurated on Monday 6th December 2021 virtually.

The session commenced with a presentation of a documentary on the Institute, followed by an introduction to the course by the Director General Amb. Pamela J Deen. Welcoming the participants, she explained the benefits of the course and how it could help them to obtain skills and knowledge to face global challenges.

The first lecture of the course ‘Introduction to Diplomacy’ was delivered by Diplomatic Historian & Strategist Dr. George. I. H. Cooke who was an alumnus of the BIDTI.

Through the Diploma Course, the BIDTI aims to offer diplomatic skills and knowledge on conducting international relations to the general public who wish to gain knowledge on interacting with the global community. Throughout the years, the enrolment for the Course has risen significantly, with participants who have followed the course moving on to gain opportunities and take up notable leadership roles in the society.

Webinar on ‘International Humanitarian Law and Protection of the Natural Environment’

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The BIDTI in collaboration with the ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka conducted a webinar on ‘International Humanitarian Law and Protection of the Natural Environment: A preventative Response’ on 31st August 2021. It was the fourth webinar of the series conducted on the contemporary challenges to International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

The objective of the Webinar series is to raise awareness and promote discussion on contemporary issues related to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), as well as the importance of the role played by States in the domestic setting and multilateral fora.

A topic that ‘doesn’t get noticed until the damage is done,’ Head of the ICRC Delegation in Sri Lanka Loukas Petridis noted that environmental damage as a result of warfare, has a serious effect on populations which can last for generations. This is often exacerbated due to the effects of climate change hence a timely issue which was the focus of discussion.

The panelists hailed from various background ranging from academic, legal and military fields included Additional Solicitor General of the Attorney General’s Department Harippriya Jayasundara P.C., Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo
Dr. Nishara Mendis, from the Sri Lanka Army, Lt. Col Nalin Herath and ICRC Regional Legal Advisor for South Asia Yari Yar Mohammad based in Kabul.

The panel of experts discussed on how IHL seeks to protect the natural environment during armed conflicts and the role of the state and relevant stake holders. The first segment of the discussion focused on the existing international law and domestic legal framework, followed by deliberating on what more could be done to make the domestic legal framework better in terms of protection of natural environment during an armed conflict.

The webinar was moderated and facilitated by Legal Advisors to ICRC Delegation in
Sri Lanka Samindika Elkaduwe and Thivanka Ratnayake.

Webinar on IHL and Protection of the Natural Environment : A Preventive Response

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We are pleased to inform you that the ICRC delegation in Colombo together with the BIDTI are jointly organizing a webinar on the topic of ‘IHL and Protection of the  Natural Environment : A Preventive Response’, which will be held on the 31st of August  2021, at 2.30pm (SL time). The webinar will be conducted via MS teams platform.

In order to join this webinar, please register online via  https://forms.gle/QtVZVxo2zvsFWsrL8

For any questions/comments/queries please contact  selkaduwe@icrc.org

You can also direct your questions to the speakers during the webinar by typing them in the Live Question and Answer platform.

We look forward to your participation!

Bangladesh and BIDTI discuss strengthening ties

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High Commissioner for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka His Excellency Tareq Md Ariful Islam met with Director General of the BIDTI Amb. (Rte.) Pamela J. Deen on 28th April 2021.

Welcoming the High Commissioner, Amb Deen congratulated him on his appointment as the High Commissioner to Sri Lanka as well as the successful State visit undertaken by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to Bangladesh in March 2021. She also conveyed best wishes for the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh celebrating this year. Further, acclaimed their steady economic performance over the years. Referring to the high level visits taken place, she stated that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh enjoy highest level of friendship due to the fund of goodwill generated by those exchanges.

In response, High Commissioner Islam stated that though arriving in Sri Lanka recently, he already felt at home due to common affinities between the two countries. Furthermore, he mentioned of the discussions held during the State visit to share the experience of Bangladesh with Sri Lanka, especially in the agricultural sector. He also inquired on the activities of the BIDTI and possible collaboration throughout the pandemic.

Upon discussing ways and means to strengthen ties between the diplomatic institutes of both countries, they both agreed to implement areas of cooperation identified in the MOU signed in 2017 between the BIDTI and the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh.

Webinar on Counter Terrorism Measures and IHL

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The BIDTI in collaboration with the ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka conducted a webinar on ‘Counter Terrorism Measures and International Humanitarian Law’ on 8th April 2021. This is the third webinar of the series conducted on the contemporary challenges to International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

The objective of the Webinar series is to create a platform for the state actor to deliberate on the challenges in implementing IHL. The panellists consisted of former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN and former Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Rohan Perera PC, former Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of
Sri Lanka and Chair Professor of Law in University of Peradeniya Professor Deepika Udagama as well as Brigadier Keerthi Kottawaththa Director, Directorate of Human Rights in IHL in Sri Lanka Army and Legal Advisor of ICRC Headquarters in Geneva Kelissiana Thynne.

his webinar in particular, featured the challenges to IHL by counter terrorism measures conducted in the context of armed conflict. Professor Udagma set the scene for the discussion by explaining the concurrent application of IHL to counter terrorism operations. Whilst Kelissiana Thynne addressed the concerns identified by the ICRC with regard to application of IHL to Counter- Terrorism measures in armed conflicts. Dr. Rohan Perera, who has written extensively on international terrorism gave an insight to disscussions of the sixth committee terms of application of IHL to Counter Terrorism measures. Lastly, Brigadier Kottawaththa shed light as to how the Sri Lanka Armed Forces integrate humanitarian considerations in Counter Terrorism operations in armed conflicts from an operational perspective.

The webinar was moderated by Legal Advisor to ICRC Delegation in Sri Lanka Samindika Elkaduwe.

Commencement of Bilateral & Multilateral negotiations in Diploma Programmes

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The BIDTI recently conducted assignments on Bilateral and Multilateral negotiations for participants of the XXIInd Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs on 29th and 31st March 2021 which received with much enthusiasm.

Newly introduced into the diploma course, this assignment enables participants to experience proceedings that may allow them to negotiate successfully in multilateral fora and bilateral negotiations. The practical assignment also equips participants to develop leadership skills.

Webinar on Counter Terrorism Measures and IHL

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We are pleased to inform you that the ICRC delegation in Colombo together with the BIDTI are jointly organizing a webinar on the topic of ‘Counter Terrorism Measures and International Humanitarian Law ’, which will be held on the 8th April  2021, at 2.30pm (SL time). The webinar will be conducted via MS teams platform.

In order to join this webinar, please register online via  https://forms.gle/9AjsqbKntc3VLzu3A

For any questions/comments/queries please contact  cranasinghefernando@icrc.org

You can also direct your questions to the speakers during the webinar by typing them in the Live Question and Answer platform.

We look forward to your participation!

Webinar on New Technologies and Challenges to IHL

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The BIDTI in collaboration with the ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka conducted a webinar on ‘New Technologies of Warfare and Challenges to International Humanitarian Law’ on the 2nd February 2021. This is the second webinar of the series conducted on the contemporary challenges to International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

The discussion dealt challenges posed to the interpretation and implementation of IHL due to the technological advancements of warfare such as Autonomous Weapons Systems and Cyberwarfare. The panel consisting of Additional Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez, Legal Advisor of ICRC Headquarters in Geneva Kelissiana Thynne as well as Wing Commander A.P.I. Sampath Kumara and Squadron Leader L.N. Randeni of the Sri Lanka Air Force spoke on theoretical and practical aspects of new technology in warfare. The legalities new technologies in Warfare was discussed by Kelisianna Thynne whilst Ambassador Azeez elaborated on challenges posed to States due to new technologies as well as to upholding IHL. He also explained various legal agreements that have been placed in the international arena for States to collectively adhere to.

Deliberating on the practical aspects of using new technologies of warfare, Wing Commander Kumara shed light on the use of cyber warfare and autonomous weapons as a means of defending national security from a technical aspect. An alumnus of the BIDTI and recipient of the Lorna Dewaraja Award Squadron Leader Randeni looked into the application of IHL in the new technologies of warfare. In particular, she pointed out the need for interpretation of IHL in the cyber sphere mentioning the challenges in distinguishing engaging parties in cyberwarfare.

The webinar was moderated by Legal Advisor to ICRC Delegation in Sri Lanka Samindika Elkaduwe.