“We are friends of the entire world and enemies of none”- State Minister of Defence
January 13, 2023- State Minister and Defence Secretary grace book launching of Col. Nalin Herath
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”, said State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon speaking at a book launch on Thursday (Jan 12).
“We have missed many lessons” State Minister taking Vietnam and 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 remarked while attending the ceremony as Chief Guest at the Banquet Hall at the Rock House Army Camp at Mutwal, Colombo.
The book themed “STORY OF THE WORLD: Geopolitical Alliances and Rivalries Set in Stone” authored by Col. Nalin Herath was launched in the presence of the State Minister of Defence and the Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne.
Attending the ceremony as the Guest of Honour Defence Secretary Gen. Gunaratne went on saying that the deliberation and study on geopolitics are identified as of a paramount importance by scholars all around the world as a nation’s destiny will be someday decided on the bedrock of such alliances and rivalries in the geopolitical arena.
Praising the effort of the author, Gen. Gunaratne remarked Col. Herath in publishing this book after a comprehensive study in this field is truly to be admired and identified as an exploitation of the knowledge and understanding fathomed by him in this field in an exemplary manner.
Senior Lecturer Dr. Harinda Vidanage, Head of Department of Strategic Studies - KDU made the keynote address and Brig. Sri Mudannayake (Retd) delivered the special guest’s speech during the event.
Col. Herath presented copies of his new book to the special invitees to symbolise the launch.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Shavendra Silva, Director General of Civil Security Department Maj. Gen. Ranjan Lamahewage (Retd), Director General of the President's Media Division Dhanushka Ramanayake, Commandant of the National Defence College Maj. Gen. Amal Karunasekara, Chief of National Intelligence Maj. Gen. 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 at the occasion.
Col. Herath’s latest publication is a sequel to the former edition, ‘Globe in a Nutshell’ which presented a collection of facts on geopolitics, history, culture, international relations etc.
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.
