News
Colombo Air Symposium 2025: Shaping the future of air and space power
The Colombo Air Symposium (CAS) 2025, the annual international academic forum organised by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), will take place for the seventh consecutive year on 10th and 11th February 2025 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo. Under the leadership of Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, Commander of the Air Force, this year’s theme, *”Transforming Air and Space Power for a Resilient Tomorrow: Prospects for Air Forces of the Indian Ocean Rim”*, will gather diplomats, military leaders, policymakers, academics, and technological experts to explore the evolving role of air and space power in the modern global security landscape.
Major General KP Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Deputy Minister of Defence, will be the Chief Guest, while Dr Brian W. Cole PhD, from the Eisenhower School at the National Defence University, Washington, DC, will deliver the keynote address. Delegates from the air forces of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) member states and dialogue partners will participate, alongside foreign research authors and senior officials from Sri Lanka’s tri-forces.
This year’s symposium will serve as a strategic platform to address how air forces in the region can adapt to rapid technological advancements, tackle emerging security challenges, and enhance aerial diplomacy to boost operational resilience. Discussions will cover a broad spectrum of issues, including strategic regional security dynamics, technological modernisation, and partnerships for collective strength.
One of the critical areas of focus will be the role of air and space power in shaping regional stability amid volatile and complex security environments. The symposium will also examine innovations in air and space technology, including the development of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and the expansion of space-based capabilities. Additionally, it will explore the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Mixed Reality in training and operations, along with advancements in cyber defence and information warfare to maintain strategic dominance.
The discussions will extend to the Blue Economy, highlighting how air and space power can support sustainable maritime initiatives through enhanced reconnaissance and surveillance. Strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation among air forces in the Indian Ocean Region will also be a key subject, with emphasis on improving humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and efforts to counter illicit maritime activities.
The Colombo Air Symposium 2025 is expected to be a crucial event for fostering regional collaboration, developing strategic partnerships, and sharing key insights on the transformation of air and space power. By addressing core areas such as policy development, technological innovation, and military strategy, CAS 2025 aims to shape a resilient, forward-looking air power framework for the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
Individuals who wish to participate in the CAS 2025 are invited to register through the link or QR code provided below.
https://colomboairsymposium.lk/symposium_qa/Quiz_1/register.php
A group of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) members, including its Leader Mano Ganesan, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday (02) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Extensive discussions were held on the issues faced by the Malayagam communities, particularly in relation to education, housing and land, as well as on the urgent measures required to address these concerns. The President paid special attention to all these matters.
Attention was also drawn to the recruitment of qualified Tamil-medium teachers to address the teacher shortage in estate sector schools and this too was discussed at length.
Members of Parliament P. Digambaram and V. Radhakrishnan, along with several other party members, were present at the meeting.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Andrey Rudenko at the Foreign Ministry, in Colombo, on Thursday (02), with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visiting Russian Deputy Minister noted that Russia regarded Sri Lanka as a long-standing friend.
Rudenko assured that Russia stood ready to support Sri Lanka when required, including in the swift supply of Russian oil to help address the current energy challenges, encouraging Russian investors to explore new opportunities in the country and promoting increased tourist arrivals.
He also expressed Russia’s readiness to provide compensation for Sri Lankan war veterans who had lost their lives in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Minister Herath welcomed Russia’s willingness to assist, emphasising that Sri Lanka valued the support extended by its “old friend”, particularly at a time when the country was facing pressing energy needs.
He noted that the two countries shared nearly seven decades of diplomatic relations and said the present moment provided an opportunity to further strengthen ties, including through long-term trade agreements.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, investment, tourism and diplomacy, with both sides reiterating their commitment to further deepen the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Russia.
Police yesterday arrested 157 foreign nationals in connection with an alleged organised online financial scam, conducted from a hotel in the Iranawila area in Chilaw.
The suspects were taken into custody during a raid carried out by the Police while they were staying at the hotel in Iranawila.
Police said the arrested group included 143 nationals from China, 13 from Bangladesh and one from Vietnam.
Investigators suspect the group had been involved in a coordinated online financial scam, targeting victims through digital platforms.
The suspects are being detained for further questioning while investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the operation and whether additional individuals were involved.Police said further inquiries are underway.
By Norman Palihawadane
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