CDS AMONG 70 CHIEFS OF DEFENCE AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne is currently on an official visit to the United States as a key invitee to the 2nd International Chiefs of Defence Conference at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. \r\n\r\nMore than 70 international Chiefs of Defense were present at the conference to discuss countering violent extremist organizations worldwide.\r\n\r\nDuring the conference, the senior military leaders discussed the current threats generated by violent extremist organizations as well as the importance of partnerships, alliances, and increased communication to identify, counter, and defeat those threats.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne met with the U.S Chairman Joint Chief General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr on Tuesday(24th October, 2017) at Fort Belvoir. The meeting took place during the final day of the Chiefs of Defense Conference. \r\n\r\nThis year 's conference was held on 23rd and 24th October, themed 'Countering Violent Extremism ' with the participation of some of the leading experts.This was the second Joint Staff-sponsored counter-violent extremist organizations conference and the largest to date. The first conference was held on 16th October, 2016.\r\n\r\nA cordial discussion was held between the two officials focusing on matters of mutual defence interests especially training and exchange of expert knowledge among the armed forces.\r\n\r\nGeneral Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. is the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, United States highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council.\r\n\r\nPrior to becoming Chairman on October 1, 2015, General Dunford served as the 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps. He previously served as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps from 2010 to 2012 and was Commander, International Security Assistance Force and United States Forces-Afghanistan from February 2013 to August 2014. \r\n
