Sri Lanka foreign policy think tank to focus on counter-terrorism

May 06, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s foreign minister has revamped the management of a key foreign affairs think tank meant to serve as a link between strategy and decision making, with a key focus on counter-terrorism. But both sides are under international pressure to resume peace talks and end human rights violations. The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies should focus on spheres of national interest, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the ministry.

Bogollagama emphasised the need for connectivity in strategic thought and decision making and wants the institute to build a resource base to become a critical think-tank in the country, it said.

Key areas of study for the institute include counter-terrorism, maritime security, international convention monitoring as well as strategic and economic diplomacy.

The institute’s new Board of Management consists of Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, Chandra Fernando, Upananda Vidanapathirana, D. S. Wijesinghe PC, Suganthie Kadirgamar, C. A. N. Perera and Ashroff Omar.

Perera is chief of staff of defence forces and a former air force commander, Fernando is a former poli