The Research Conference is enriched with the participation of many local and foreign academia, professionals and practitioners. The conference has received more than 500 abstracts from researchers. Representatives from countries such as India, Pakistan, Singapore, Bangladesh, Malaysia, the Maldives, the Philippines, the United States, the UK, Germany and Australia are participating. Defence Secretary B.M.U.D. Basnayake, the Chief of Defence Staff and Commanders of the Tri-Forces as well as foreign diplomats were present at the launch of the sessions.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa referred to the responsibility of extending their maximum services to the country through their professional qualities. The Minister said that there is no need to emphasize what a difficult period of three decades Sri Lanka passed while fighting against horrifying terrorism, undoubtedly the world’s worst brutal terrorist outfit. Now the people breathe a sigh of relief, after the brutal terrorists were defeated by patriotic and extraordinary brilliant defence forces.

Indeed it is not an exaggeration to state that they displayed not only their brilliance in their respective professional performances, but also in the overall discipline of which they were fine exponents. Minister Rajapaksa added that professionalism is not a new concept as it goes back to the origin of human civilization.