A two-day workshop on Human Rights (HR) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) was conducted by the Directorate of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in conjunction with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to enlighten Sri Lankan military officers on International Humanitarian Law.
The ICRC Regional Armed and Security Forces delegate in Colombo Brigadier Jacques Lemay (Rtd) and the ICRC Regional Armed and Security Forces Programme Adviser Channa Jayawardena with the close coordination of the Directorate of HR and IHL organized the workshop.
The workshop was held during 16-17 November at the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regimental HQ at Panagoda.
The workshop aimed to widen knowledge of Officers and bridge its gaps on military in internal security operations by sharing their expertise and experiences in diversified areas such as the ICRC Role, Mandate and activities in Sri Lanka, International Law, Transition from IHL to IHRL, Human Rights and Law Enforcement Powers, Basic principles, Arrest/Detention and Search/Seizure, Use of force and firearms, Case Studies and Group discussions, etc.
The Commander, Security Forces-West, Major General Sujeewa Senarath Yapa facilitated its conduct in parallel with the ‘Way Forward Strategy-2020-2025’.
Adhering to health guidelines, 32 Officers of the Security Forces -West, including a few officers of the 58 Division attended the sessions.