COLOMBO : Dr. Semih Lütfü Turgut, Ambassador of Türkiye to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, delivered a special commemorative lecture to students of the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) on the tenth anniversary of the thwarted coup attempt in Türkiye.
During the lecture, Ambassador Turgut gave a speech on the evolving vision of Turkish foreign policy and Third Secretary Rümeysa Akçin explained the complexity of the failed coup attempt. Furthermore, Ambassador Turgut shared personal insights into the resilience of the Turkish people, highlighting how the nation came together to defend democracy and the rule of law.
The session encouraged open dialogue and allowed students to ask questions. In response to students’ questions, Ambassador Turgut offered insights into the dynamics of Turkish foreign policy, addressed current geopolitical developments, emphasised the importance of strengthening Turkish-Sri Lankan relations, and discussed the repercussions of the coup attempt.
Photos documenting the dramatic events of the coup attempt were also displayed at the venue.
On July 15, 2016, thousands of Turkish citizens took to the streets to defend their democratically elected government. Türkiye now marks this date as Democracy and National Unity Day, honouring the courage of those who resisted the coup and paying tribute to the fallen. The violent coup attempt was orchestrated by the Fetullahist Terrorist Organisation (FETÖ), which Türkiye recognizes as a terrorist organization.
