Respect principles of warfare: Navy Commander urges naval officers

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva yesterday urged naval officers to be competent in terms of mindfulness, comprehension, knowledge and concentration in the context of naval warfare,while respecting the principles of warfare.  

He also urged them to adhere to the sanctions given by the law.   

The 06th Asia-Pacific Symposium organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) began yesterday at the Galle Face Hotel under the patronage of the Navy Commander.  

Around 26 naval officers from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Timor East, Vietnam and Sri Lanka attended this year’s symposium.   

Navy said the theme of this year’s symposium is the Law of Naval Warfare (International Humanitarian Law) and its discussions will focus on the challenges and complexities of naval warfare as well as outlining the specific traits of humanitarian action at sea.  

Addressing the gathering, the Navy Commander underlined the importance of international rules of naval warfare and briefly explained the principles of naval warfare such as military necessity, distinction, limitation, proportionality and humanity.   

Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Head of Delegation of the ICRC in Sri Lanka, Mr. Loukas Petridis, Defence Attachés, distinguished speakers and recourse personnel, officers from foreign Navies as well as the Sri Lanka Navy were present on this occasion.