Colombo Air Symposium 2023 back in action after three years

The Colombo Air Symposium-2023 (CAS), an annual international academic forum organised by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), will begin tomorrow.

The two-day event to be held at the Eagle’s Lakeside Banquet and Convention Hall is being held after a lapse of three years.

The symposium aims to delve into the realms of defence and security, exploring the multifaceted dimensions of airpower, interaction, and juxtaposition.

Under the direct guidance and supervision of Air Force Commander Udeni Rajapaksa, CAS 2023 adopts the theme "Fostering shared air interests in the IOR: Geopolitical Cooperation, Complexities, and Compulsions."

This thematic choice establishes a platform to enhance cooperation and mutual understanding among nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly regarding shared air interests.

The symposium will prioritise discussions that promote transparency and trust-building, serving as a means to prevent conflicts within the airspace of the IOR. It will also delve into strategies aimed at achieving efficient, safe, and sustainable airspace management within the intricate and complex IOR environment.

Furthermore, CAS 2023 will critically examine the role of airpower within developing nations, especially within the challenging context of the geopolitical landscape, and assess its farreaching impacts on regional and global dynamics. It will also underscore the utilisation of airpower for the betterment of human security through humanitarian endeavours, disaster response, and conflict prevention.

The President's Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor Sagala Rathnayake will be the Chief Guest at the Colombo Air Symposium 2023.

Prof. Adam Leong Kok Wey, the Director of the Centre for Defence and International Security Studies (CDISS) at the National Defence University of Malaysia and a prominent figure in the field of strategic studies, will deliver the keynote address.