International symposium on global expansion of ISIS this Sunday

The Easter Sunday terror attacks occurred at a time when the island nation was treading on a progressive path. When the Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attacks, it shook the entire world. This proves their growing presence and expansion in the South Asian region. In order to shed light on this topic, the Mahinda Rajapaksa Centre has organised an international symposium on the topic ‘The Global Expansion of the ISIS: Impact on Sri Lanka’.

Some of the main objectives of this symposium are to examine the international context of the terrorist attack, to examine political economics such as the global manufacture, circulation, buying and selling of military weapons, the threat of possible foreign investments and to understand how a country like Sri Lanka could successfully face these threats. The event will include a panel discussion followed by a publication based on the discussions, round table discussions and the drafting of a policy document.

• When the Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attacks, it shook the entire world
• Several factions claim that the majority of the foreign policy decisions have not yielded favourable outcomes to the country

The Centre has invited three eminent speakers with a wealth of knowledge in global security concerns to address the topic. Sri Lankan-born Rohan Gunaratne is a Professor of Security Studies at the Nanyang Technology University and founder of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, Singapore. He is the author of the book ‘Inside Al-Qaeda: Global Network of Terror’ published by the University of Colombia Press. Brigadier General Ahmed Nilam joined the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in 1987. A graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom, and Brigadier Nilam has also served as the Director General of the Directorate of Intelligence and Commander of the Special Assessment Unit of the MNDF. Dr Stanly Johny works as the international affairs editor of The Hindu, a renowned newspaper in India. He is also a regular contributor on Middle Eastern geopolitics to The Hindu Business Line and Frontline magazine. His first book ‘The ISIS Caliphate: From Syria to the Doorsteps of India’ was published by Bloomsbury India in 2018. His writings and analyses have been featured in global think tank forums and various media outlets.

Post-war Sri Lanka faced many challenges from international bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and international media based on the alleged human rights violations. But several factions claim that the majority of the foreign policy decisions have not yielded favourable outcomes to the country, thereby identifying a dearth of strategic advisors. It is in this backdrop that the Mahinda Rajapaksa Centre has initiated with a mission to fill in this gap and establish a resource hub in the field of international relations. The Centre, therefore, comprises of researchers who would pursue, analyse and provide information on various subject matter to the government as and when it is required.

The event will be attended by members and leaders of all political parties, foreign diplomats and other dignitaries and will be held on June 9, 2019 (Sunday) at The Kingsbury from 4.00pm-6.00pm