Colombo: India and China are among the 42
nations who will participate in an global conference here to
share Sri Lanka`s military experience in the defeat of the
LTTE that ended a three-decade long civil war in the country.
"We sent invitations to 54 countries and 42 confirmed
their participation. We have had regrets from 12. Even if they
are not sending military delegations, their ambassadors and
diplomats will attend," Army chief Lieutenant General Jagath
Jayasuriya said.
Jayasuriya said three Colonels would represent India
while officers in the rank of General would represent Pakistan
and Bangladesh during the three-day conference in Colombo from
May 31 to June 2.
Sri Lanka defeated the LTTE campaign to set up a
separate Tamil homeland in May 2009.
The government claimed that many international defence
analysts had asked to share the experience.
Jayasuriya said despite a call by international
rights groups such as the Human Rights Watch to discourage
participation the response had been satisfactory.
The conference takes place in the backdrop of the
release of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon`s advisory
panel report on alleged human rights abuses committed by the
Lankan military in their battle against the LTTE.
Jayasuriya dismissed the allegations of the three
member panel report as "hearsay".
Between 80,000 and 100,000 people were killed in the
civil war waged by the LTTE for a separate state for the
Tamils of Sri Lanka, alleging discrimination against the
minority community at the hands of the majority Sinhalas.
PTI
