Painful lessons of 1987 and Indo-Lanka relations

THIS month marks 38 years since the signing of the Indo-Lanka Accord in July 1987—an agreement that remains one of the most consequential and controversial episodes in Sri Lanka's post-independence history.

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For many Sri Lankans, the accord is a reminder not only of deep diplomatic missteps but also of the harsh realities of regional geopolitics. Yet, if we are to draw anything meaningful from this painful past, it must be the necessity of strong, respectful, and balanced relations between our two nations.

The lead-up to the Indo-Lanka Accord was riddled with misjudgements and mistrust on both sides. Sri Lanka's internal conflict had become a regional flashpoint, and India—motivated by a mix of regional power aspirations, domestic political compulsions, and Cold War dynamics—intervened in ways that many Sri Lankans perceived as coercive and heavy-handed.

The infamous "Parippu Drop" of June 1987, a blatant violation of Sri Lanka's sovereignty, forced Colombo into an uncomfortable corner, culminating in the acceptance of Indian military presence on Sri Lankan soil through the Indo-Lanka Accord.