News
Senior military officers from over 90 countries meet to discuss laws of war
Nearly 400 senior military officers from more than 90 countries will convene over a period of three weeks for a high-level workshop on the laws of war, also known as international humanitarian law (IHL), and their application in military operations.
Hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the 14th Annual Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations (SWIRMO) will focus on current issues: urban warfare, partnered military operations, and influences on battlefield behaviour. Participants will also use a new video game simulation created by the ICRC that puts officers and soldiers in scenarios that resemble real life where military objectives need to be balanced against the risk of civilian harm.
The ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka will host six senior military officers representing the Tri-forces who will participate virtually at the workshop for the Asia Pacific Region which will be held from Nov 1 to 4.
“COVID forced us to change the format this year. We were not able to gather everyone in a single place, so we created a hybrid event with discussions broadcast from our headquarters in Geneva with in-person sessions spread across over 90 countries,” said Stephen Kilpatrick, Military and Armed Groups Adviser at the ICRC. “Despite the changes, it has allowed us to reach a wider audience and we are encouraged that this year will be our largest SWIRMO yet.”
In previous years, SWIRMO was organised jointly by the ICRC and the armed forces of a specific country. The first workshop took place in Switzerland in 2007 and other hosts have included France, South Africa, Malaysia, Colombia, China, Algeria, the UAE and, most recently, in Russia.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
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