Despite delays and restrictions imposed due to the ongoing pandemic, the 7th Post Graduate Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs commenced on Friday 15th January at the BIDTI.
The inaugural lecture was delivered by Head of International Relations Department of the University of Colombo Dr. Maneesha Wanasinghe Pasqual. Dr. Pasqual has been involved with the programme since its inception.
Management Service Officers (MSOs) selected to serve in Sri Lanka missions abroad gifted a collection of valuable books for the use of the BIDTI library today.
112 officers from various Ministries and Departments who were selected through a vigorous process facing two examinations and an interview, attended the orientation programme organised by the BIDTI in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry from 23rd September to 2nd October, 2020.
The presentation was initiated by the former Director Administration Erandika Dissanayake who coordinated the group of MSOs’ integration in the Foreign Ministry attended the event.
BIDTI in collaboration with the International Committee of Red Cross Delegation in Sri Lanka organized a webinar on ‘Contemporary Challenges to International Humanitarian Law and the Role of the Diplomat’ on 17th December 2020, which received an overwhelming response from all over the world. Referring to the long association the BIDTI has with the ICRC Delegation in Sri Lanka, Director General (Amb.) Pamela J. Deen stated that taking the relationship to another level, this webinar has been organized, as the first of three events planned.
In the opening remarks, Foreign Secretary Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage expressed that the role of Non State Actors in armed conflict proves to be a challenge to the application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Further, mentioned that increasing awareness amongst government officials and the military on International Humanitarian Law must be encouraged.
Panelists of the webinar 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, Additional Secretary Bilateral Affairs (West) & Legal of the Foreign Ministry Ambassador A.M.J Sadiq and Regional Legal Advisor of the ICRC for South Asia Ilya Ivanov. The webinar was moderated by Legal Advisor of the ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka Samindika Elkaduwa.
Ilya Ivanov speaking about the role of the Diplomat in IHL, reiterated that “In practice, it is the Diplomat that creates the avenue for the implementation of International Law”. Ambassador Sadiq stated that “There is a limited knowledge of IHL amongst the public hence an increase in awareness is essential”. Further, he acknowledged efforts of the BIDTI in disseminating knowledge of IHL, being one of the Institutes within South Asia to include IHL in its academic programmes. While expressing the importance of Diplomacy and the role played by the Diplomat to uphold IHL in the international setting, Dr. Perera emphasized the need to enhanced cooperation with other stakeholders such as Civil Society Organisations and Multilateral Organisations to overcome contemporary challenges to IHL.
The latest publication edited by George I. H. Cooke titled ‘Sri Lanka and the United Nations – Relations with the UN General Assembly’ was presented to the BIDTI Library today, 16th December 2020.
At the book launch held at the BCIS auditorium on 14th December to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Sri Lanka joining the United Nations, Cooke referred to Deshamanya Dr. Vernon L.B. Mendis, the founding Director General of the BIDTI as his mentor.
A prolific writer and a visiting lecturer of the BIDTI, George Cooke is also an alumnus of the BIDTI who has followed three courses conducted by the Institute.
Having served as a member of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service over a decade, George Cooke is presently serving as the Deputy Director of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS).
The Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) recently organized an Orientation Programme for Ambassador and High Commissioners designated by Sri Lanka. The programme conducted virtually from 7th to 11th December, 2020 was co-hosted in association with the Foreign Ministry. Eight Ambassadors and High Commissioners designated for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Kingdom of Sweden, Republic of Egypt, Republic of Poland, Kingdom of Thailand, Canada and Qatar participated and exchanged views.
The BIDTI extends its best wishes to Ambassadors and High Commissioners designated in their respective missions.
The BIDTI embarked on publishing an academic journal ‘Diplomacy & World Affairs’ in 2019. The third edition which was recently published is available now. The Journal provides a platform for academics and professionals in diplomacy, international affairs, security and related fields, as well as alumni of the Institute to share their knowledge.
Interested parties can obtain a copy by contacting the BIDTI.
The formal training programme for 114 Management Service Officers (MSO) prior to assigning them to Sri Lanka missions abroad was inaugurated on 23rd of September at the BIDTI.
Addressing the participants on ‘National interests and foreign policy perspective of
Sri Lanka’, Secretary of the Foreign Ministry and State Secretary of Regional Cooperation Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage highlighted the need for change in light of a new world order set in motion by the Covid 19 pandemic.
Referring to the three pillars of the President’s vision i.e. National Security, Economic Development and International Relations, he emphasised the importance of Economic Diplomacy as Sri Lanka is moving from an import dependant economy to an export oriented economy. Mentioning that Sri Lanka has not performed well in economic diplomacy though doing well in international political diplomacy, Admiral Colombage stressed the importance of achieving these objectives and urged for cooperation and dedication of participants during their assignments abroad.
The programme consisted of sessions conducted by Director General Human Resources & Mission Management Ambassador M. K. Pathmanathan, who spoke on the general role of a MSO/Attaché in an overseas mission and practical aspects/ challenges of the administration of missions. Acting Director General Policy Planning, Research & Human Resources Development Sesath Thambugala explained the role of the Foreign Ministry and Overseas Missions while Assistant Chief of Protocol Dulmith Waruna and team briefed on diplomatic immunities and privileges, Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations and protocol duties relevant to official and state visits.
The program will continue till 6th October with further studies at the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Consular Affairs Division at the Ministry.
Continuing with its activities, the BIDTI commenced the XXIIIrd Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs programme on 16th September 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this course was also inaugurated without adhering to formalities followed in the past.
Ambassador H. M. G. S. Palihakkara, the former Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the former Governor of the Northern Province delivered the first lecture of the course ‘Introduction to Diplomacy’.
The demand for the Diploma courses at the BIDTI has increased over the years resulting a large number of participants enrolling for those.
The BIDTI commenced an orientation program for 114 Management Service Officers (MSO) on the 15th September 2020.
These officers have been selected to serve in Sri Lanka Missions abroad upon undergoing a selection process which includes examinations and interviews conducted by the Department of Examinations in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
They would undergo a formal training programme prior to deploying them in the Ministry in order to obtain on the job training before being posted to missions abroad.
Director of the Administration Erandika Dissanayake and Director of Human Resources and Mission Management Dilani Weerakoon briefed them whilst Director General of the BIDTI Ambassador Pamela J. Deen gave an introduction on their duties and responsibilities.
Adapting to the ‘new normal’, the BIDTI has taken strides to conduct academic activities amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. As such, lectures for current students of the Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs commenced livestream from 20th May 2020.
Consequently, the final exam for the XXth batch of the Diploma Course was held on 12th July 2020 at the BIDTI. The examination procedures were carried out with adherence to health regulations imposed by the government.
