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US-Sri Lanka Partnership: 2023 Indo-Pacific Environmental Security Forum

The 12th annual Indo-Pacific Environmental Security Forum (IPESF), the first ever hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy and sponsored by the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), brought together environmental security stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region, from August 14-17. The Forum, with participation from 28 countries, fostered cooperative problem-solving under the theme “Environmental Resilience through Cooperation” a US Embassy Colombo press release said yesterday.
It said: The event highlighted the commitment of the United States and Sri Lanka to fostering resilient communities, preserving natural resources, and fortifying the foundations of a secure Indo-Pacific region, while addressing climate security, resource sustainability, multilateral cooperation, and environmental security transformation.
United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, shared in her opening remarks on Monday: “Our vision of the world is one where all countries, big and small, have opportunities for success and stability. Whether you’re sitting in Fiji or Australia or Mongolia or Sri Lanka, we are all vulnerable. We are seeing this year record-setting weather extremes hitting countries around the world, where everyone is feeling that impact. Recent droughts here in Sri Lanka are impacting food security. It is imperative that we come together to share knowledge and find creative ways to address these common challenges.”
Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera said: “No matter the advances we make and achieve through technology and innovation, it’s more than evident that nature is always ahead with her unique surprises, and man needs to be more circumspect. Hence, as cognitive beings we need to pursue a path of rationale behaviour forging a relationship that would ensure the sustainment of our civilization and the environment alike.”
Throughout the four-day event, participants engaged in presentations, panel discussions, and interactive group activities, fostering an environment of knowledge sharing and best practice dissemination covering subjects such as climate change, land security, maritime and water security, and urbanization’s security effects. By embracing a holistic approach to environmental security, the IPESF facilitated the development of actionable plans to address pressing environmental challenges. Project development and workgroup development workshops were instrumental in generating strategies to enhance environmental resilience and security across the region.
The Indo-Pacific Environmental Security Forum (IPESF), launched in 2010 by USINDOPACOM, is an annual event focused on fostering regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and collaborative action to address environmental challenges that impact national and regional security. Hosted by different nations across the Indo-Pacific, the forum brings together experts, policymakers, military officials, and stakeholders to develop actionable plans for environmental resilience and security. The 2024 Indo-Pacific Environmental Security Forum will be held in Vanuatu.
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ECSL launch Election Dispute Resolution (EDR) Mobile App

The Election Commission of Sri Lnka [ECSL] taking another step forward in ensuring free and fair elections, launched a Mobile Application for the speedy resolution of disputes arising during elections.
The Election Disputes Resolution (EDR) App a simple and efficient way to report election issues instantly will be put to test during the forthcoming Local Authorities Election
It can be downloaded on Appstore and Google Play
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JMSDF MURASAME calls Port of Colombo

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) MURASAME arrived at the Port of Colombo on a replenishment visit this morning (22 Mar 25).
The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
JMSDF MURASAME is a 151m long Destroyer commanded by Commander HAYAKAWA Masahiro. Meanwhile, she is manned by a crew of 200.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city of Colombo and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 25 Mar 25.
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Two persons shot dead at Devinuwara

It has been reported that two persons riding a motorcycle were killed in a shooting incident that took place around 11.45pm on Friday [21] night , in front of the southern entrance of the Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya, on Sinhasana Road.
The unidentified gunmen, who arrived in a van, opened fire using a T-56 assault rifle and 9 mm firearms before fleeing the scene. The police have recovered 39 T-56 bullet casings, two T-56 rounds of live ammunition, a T-56 magazine, three 9 mm bullet casings, and one 9mm live ammunition.
The van suspected to have been used by the shooters was found abandoned and set on fire on a side road about 800 meters from the crime scene.
The two deceased victims have been identified as Tikira Hennedige Yomesh Nadishan and Marakkala Manage Pasidu Tharuka, both residents of Sinhasana Road, Devinuwara.
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