The Strategic Imperative: Why Sri Lanka Could Transform Indo-Pacific Security Through Space

As I scan the strategic horizon of the Indo-Pacific region, I see both unprecedented challenges and extraordinary opportunities. Maritime threats multiply while space technology advances at breathtaking speed. Standing at this intersection of security concerns and technological possibility, I believe policy makers have a unique window to reshape regional dynamics through a bold partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka-one centered on space capabilities and maritime domain awareness.

- BY DR. ACHALA GUNASEKARA-ROCKWELL

My research has convinced me that Sri Lanka, often called the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," represents far more than a picturesque island nation. Its geographic position—sitting precisely where critical sea lanes converge—makes it an invaluable strategic fulcrum. Nearly half of global container traffic passes through these waters, creating an imperative to secure them against threats ranging from piracy to illegal fishing.

What makes this moment particularly significant is the convergence of Sri Lanka’s location with revolutionary advances in commercial space technology. Companies like SpaceX have dramatically reduced the cost of space access while increasing capabilities. This democratization of space presents a historic opportunity to establish Sri Lanka as both a maritime security hub and potentially a spaceport ideally positioned for reaching equatorial orbits.

Why Sri Lanka?

The question is not why Sri Lanka, but why we haven't pursued this obvious partnership sooner. The island’s position between six and 10 degrees north of the equator gives it natural advantages for space launches that few other locations can match. Rockets launched near the equator benefit from Earth’s rotational speed, reducing fuel requirements significantly. Sri Lanka’s eastern coastline offers direct access to open ocean, providing essential safety corridors for launches targeting both equatorial and polar orbits.

I am particularly struck by how Sri Lanka’s deep-water ports, stable climate through much of the year, and existing telecommunications infrastructure create a foundation upon which we could build truly transformative capabilities.

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