Sri Lanka Navy's International Maritime Conference, 'Galle Dialogue 2016' begins at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo today (28th Nov.).
The two-day conference organized by the navy under aegis of the Ministry of Defence is being held for the 7th consecutive year.
President Maithripala Sirisena will grace the inaugural session as the Chief Guest while Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe will be the Guest of Honour.
More than 120 participants from 40 countries and 12 international organizations will discuss thematic issues relating to 'Fostering Strategic Maritime Partnerships' this year. Seven navy chiefs are also among the distinguished participants scheduled to attend this international conclave of maritime affairs.
'Galle Dialogue', was first held in 2010 with the participation of a number of international and local professionals representing the maritime fraternity. The sixth Galle Dialogue, last year saw thirteen (13) papers being presented during the course of two-days (23 and 24 November) under the theme 'Secure Seas through Greater Maritime Cooperation: Challenges and Way Forward'.