July 31, Colombo (LNW): The Fourth Meeting of the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs (BNSCs) and its Preparatory Meeting took place in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, last week.
Defence Secretary General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne represented Sri Lanka at the meeting on Friday (26).
The session, held in a retreat format, was inaugurated by Myanmar’s Union Minister and National Security Advisor, General Moe Aung.
Delegations from BIMSTEC member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—participated.
Key discussions centred on regional security challenges, maritime and cyber security, as well as future initiatives.
Progress in counter terrorism and transnational crime (CTTC) within the BIMSTEC region was also reviewed.
Sri Lanka advocated for increased cooperation amongst BIMSTEC nations in these areas.
General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne held bilateral meetings with Myanmar’s Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Administration Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and Admiral Moe Aung, the National Security Advisor.
They discussed mutual interests in defence and maritime collaboration, as well as the exchange of delegations and trainee officers.
Gunaratne also requested Myanmar’s assistance in rescuing the remaining 54 Sri Lankans trapped in Myawaddy, expressing gratitude for previous help in this matter.
