We are friends of entire world and enemies of none - Defence State Minister

It is vital for us to redefine our objectives as an island nation in the face of latest developments of global geopolitical interests. We must understand one important fact that we are friends of the entire world and enemies of none, Defence State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said.

He was speaking at the book launch of Story of the world: Geopolitical Alliances and Rivalries Set in Stone authored by Col. Nalin Herath in the presence of the Defence State Minister Premitha Bandara Thennakoon and Defence Secretary Gen. Gunaratne on Thursday (12).

Senior Lecturer Dr. Harinda Vidanage, Head of Department of Strategic Studies – KDU made the Keynote Address and Brigadier Sri Mudannayake (Retd) delivered the Special Guest’s Speech during the event.

“We have missed many lessons,” The State Minister taking Vietnam and the USA as examples said “they were at war in the past but great trade partners today”.

“Many countries have adopted strategies for economic, social and political development and smartly prevented the past dictating the future,” he said.

Col. Herath presented copies of his new book to the special invitees to symbolise the launch. Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Director General of Civil Security Department Major General Ranjan Lamahewage (Retd), Director General of the President’s Media Division

Dhanushka Ramanayake, Commandant of the National Defence College Major General Amal Karunasekara, Chief of National Intelligence Major General Ruwan Kulathunga (Retd), Acting Director General –INSS Rear Admiral Dimuthu Gunawardena, Additional Secretaries of the Defence Ministry including Senior Officials, Senior Military and Police Officers, heads and lecturers of universities, intellectuals, journalists and distinguished guests were present.

Col. Herath’s latest publication is a sequel to the former edition, Globe in a Nutshell, which presents a collection of facts on geopolitics, history, culture and international relations among others.

The latest release constitutes an in-depth analysis of the New World Order in the background of contemporary developments in geo-politics in the backdrop of Ukrain-Russia hostilities.