ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM HEADS OF DEFENSE UNIVERSITIES / COLLEGES /INSTITUTIONS
ARF HDUCIM- Day 02 – 24th January 2025

Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath, The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka attended the opening ceremony of Day 02 of the 26th ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defense Universities/Colleges/Institutions Meeting (ARF HDUCIM) as the Chief Guest. His Excellencies, High commissioners, Ambassadors, Hon. Consular Generals of the ASEAN countries, Ms. Aruni Ranaraja, The Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Harsha Vithanaarachchi, The Additional Secretary of Ministry of Defence, General Shantha Kottegoda (Retd) Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. Ms. Shashikala Premawardana, Director General of Southeast Asia and Central Asia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, the Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Navy also were in the diganitaries of the opening ceremony. The Chairman, Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara, VSV, USP, psc, MMaritimePol, BSc (DS) and the Co-Chairman – Vice Rector of Cambodian National Defence University – Lieutenant General Mony Var welcomed the chief guest and other distinguished guests.
Honourable Minister addressed the gathering on the importance of regional partnership and the importance of regional relationship to Sri Lanka as a small state.
The forum’s agenda for Day 02 included Session 02 and Session 03. At Session 02, the meeting discussions underwent the sub theme, “Responding to Climate Change and Systemic Risks”. Academic insights were shared on how rising sea levels, diminishing water resources and warming world have been the key drivers of policy concerns in the last few decades, having the objective of generating a healthy dialogue of perspectives and shared values that can be evolved leading to security and stability efforts. Following this Session, The Session 03 took place and was dedicated to have discussions under the sub theme “Achieving energy security through an integrated response to Energy transitions” focusing on the implication of the energy that fuels the processes and how energy itself is perceived in this context of its strategic form. Deliberations among the Heads of Defence education institutions provided a wealth of knowledge allowing the participants to share their experiences on security education and research and other relevant areas to enhance mutual understanding and resolutions.
Day 02 of the forum had the presence of the delegates from the countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Lao PDR, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan reflecting a collective commitment to achieve impactful results. The conference successfully concluded with a formal closing ceremony. The closing remarks were added by Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara, the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and the chairmanship of the forum and the proceedings of the forum were officially handed over to the Incoming Chairman of the 27th ARF HDUCIM, Lieutenant General Mony Var, the Vice Rector of Cambodian National Defence University. Addressing the closing ceremony, Lieutenant General Mony Var expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm hospitality of Sri Lanka since the very first day of arrival. He further added “We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to visit Sri Lanka, a beautiful country with a rich history and vibrant culture. It has been a privilege to experience the beauty of this nation and to witness firsthand the kindness and generosity of its people”
The ceremony concluded with vote of Thanks delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of KDU, Major General Chinthaka Wickramasinghe. The 26th ARF HDUCIM reaffirmed its commitment to foster regional partnerships aiming to enhance collaboration and mutual learning among defence education institutions worldwide and as a vital platform to promote mutual understanding and peaceful conflict resolution, contributing to global peace and stability.
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